Prostate cancer patients’ experiences, negative effects of treatments, and impact on well-being

Abstract Background Prostate cancer is often labelled a couple’s disease wherein the partner plays an important role in the man’s illness management and related health promotion activities. The aim of this study was to explore partner experiences of prostate cancer patients’ engagement with a community-based football program. Methods Eight audio-visual recorded semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 39 female partners of men with prostate cancer who participated in a community-based football program as part of the nationwide FC Prostate Community Trial (NCT02430792). Data was managed with the software program Nvivo 11 and analysed inductively to derive thematic findings. Results The four thematic findings were: 1) ‘Hope of a new beginning’ which included stories of hope that football would mitigate the negative effects of men’s prostate cancer treatment [s]; 2) ‘My new partner’ was characterized by attributing connections between physical activity and elevated mood as a by-product of men’s involvement in the program; 3) ‘Football first’ included assertions of the couples mutual commitment to the football program; and 4) ‘Invisible needs’ contrasted insecurity, and unforeseen challenges for partners feeling somewhat neglected. Overall, the results confirm the need for cohesion and flexibility amongst couple-dyads to ensure partners and men with prostate cancer benefit from their involvement in football programs. Conclusions This study indicates that partners of prostate cancer survivors’ engaging with community-based football align to idealized gender relations, roles and identities. In many instances, these gendered dimensions aided positive dyadic coping and long-term exercise adherence.

Download Full-text

Loneliness among cancer caregivers: A narrative review

Palliative & Supportive Care ◽

10.1017/s1478951519000804 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 359-367 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tamryn F. Gray ◽

Desiree R. Azizoddin ◽

Paula V. Nersesian

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Well Being ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Limited Attention ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Loved One ◽

Cancer Caregivers

AbstractObjectiveProviding care to a loved one with cancer places demands on caregivers that result in changes to their daily routines and disruptions to their social relationships that then contribute to loneliness. Though caregivers’ psychosocial challenges have been well studied, loneliness — a determinant of health — has not been well studied in this population. This narrative review sought to describe the current evidence on loneliness among caregivers of cancer patients. We aimed to (1) define loneliness, (2) describe its prevalence, (3) describe the association between loneliness and health outcomes, (4) describe risks and consequences of loneliness among cancer caregivers, (5) identify ways to assess loneliness, and (6) recommend strategies to mitigate loneliness in this unique population.MethodWe used evidence from articles listed in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases, book chapters, and reports. Articles were reviewed for the following inclusion criteria: (1) published in English, (2) caregivers of cancer patients, (3) loneliness as a study variable, and (4) peer-reviewed with no restriction on the timeframe of publication. Caregivers were defined as relatives, friends, or partners who provide most of the care and support for someone with cancer.ResultsEighteen studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Caregivers’ experiences of loneliness can contribute to negative effects on one's social, emotional, and physical well-being. Social support interventions may not be sufficient to address this problem. Existing recommendations to mitigate loneliness include cognitive and psychological reframing, one-on-one and group therapy, befriending, resilience training, and technology-based interventions.Significance of resultsLimited attention to loneliness in cancer caregivers poses a twofold problem that impacts patient and caregiver outcomes. Interventions are critically needed to address loneliness as a determinant of health in caregivers, given their pivotal role in providing care and impacting health outcomes for people with cancer.

Download Full-text

Racial differences in well-being and cancer concerns in prostate cancer patients

Journal of Cancer Survivorship ◽

10.1007/s11764-011-0170-1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 182-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sumedha Chhatre ◽

Alan J. Wein ◽

S. Bruce Malkowicz ◽

Ravishankar Jayadevappa

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Racial Differences ◽

Well Being

Download Full-text

The health and well-being of prostate cancer patients and male-to-female transsexuals on androgen deprivation therapy: A qualitative study with comments on expectations and estrogen

Psychology Health & Medicine ◽

10.1080/13548506.2010.516364 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 39-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Richard J. Wassersug ◽

Ross Gray

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Androgen Deprivation Therapy ◽

Well Being ◽

Androgen Deprivation ◽

Male To Female ◽

Health And Well Being

Download Full-text

Emotional Isolation: Prevalence and the Effect on Well-being among 50-80-Year-Old Prostate Cancer Patients

Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology ◽

10.1080/003655901750170407 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 97-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Ásgeir R. Helgason, Paul W. Dickman

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Well Being ◽

Emotional Isolation

Download Full-text

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery in improving psychological well-being and quality-of-life for breast and prostate cancer patients: Initial report

European Journal of Integrative Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.eujim.2011.05.044 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. e125 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andreas Charalambous

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Guided Imagery ◽

Muscle Relaxation ◽

Well Being ◽

Progressive Muscle Relaxation ◽

Initial Report ◽

Breast And Prostate Cancer

Download Full-text

Female partner experiences of prostate cancer patients’ engagement with a community-based football intervention: a qualitative study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-37615/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Julie Midtgaard ◽

Tine Tjørnhøj-Thomsen ◽

Mette Rørth ◽

Malene Kronborg ◽

Eik D. Bjerre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Exercise Adherence ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Community Based ◽

Prostate Cancer Survivors ◽

Female Partners ◽

New Beginning ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Football Programs

Abstract Background Prostate cancer is often labelled a couple’s disease wherein the partner plays an important role in the man’s illness management and related health promotion activities. The aim of this study was to explore partner experiences of prostate cancer patients’ engagement with a community-based football program. Methods Eight audio-visual recorded semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 39 female partners of men with prostate cancer who participated in a community-based football program as part of the nationwide FC Prostate Community Trial (NCT02430792). Data was managed with the software program Nvivo 11 and analysed inductively to derive thematic findings. Results The four thematic findings were: 1) ‘Hope of a new beginning’ which included stories of hope that football would mitigate the negative effects of men’s prostate cancer treatment[s]; 2) ‘My new partner’ was characterized by attributing connections between physical activity and elevated mood as a by-product of men’s involvement in the program; 3) ‘Football first’ included assertions of the couples mutual commitment to the football program; and 4) ‘Invisible needs’ contrasted insecurity, and unforeseen challenges for partners feeling somewhat neglected. Overall, the results confirm the need for cohesion and flexibility amongst couple-dyads to ensure partners and men with prostate cancer benefit from their involvement in football programs. Conclusions This study indicates that prostate cancer survivors’ engagement with community-based football are intricately connected to gender relations, roles and identities. In many instances, these gendered dimensions aided positive dyadic coping and long-term exercise adherence.

Download Full-text

Addressing the information needs of patients with prostate cancer: A literature review

Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice ◽

10.1017/s1460396908006511 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 23-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Neil A. Mc Parland

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Information Needs ◽

Resource Constraints ◽

Psychosocial Support ◽

Well Being ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Face To Face ◽

Care Workers ◽

Effective Manner

AbstractPsychosocial support is a cornerstone in the holistic care of cancer patients. The provision of information is a key tool in the psychosocial management of the cancer patient, and it is important that the therapy radiographer is cognizant of the patient's need for information.This article reviews the importance of information to the psychosocial well-being of cancer patients in general, with specific emphasis on patients with prostate cancer. The information services at a large Canadian cancer facility are also reviewed to gain some insight into how the needs of patients with prostate cancer are addressed at the author's workplace.Most patients with prostate cancer have an expressed need for considerable amounts of information at various stages of their cancer journey. The provision of information has a range of benefits to the prostate patient such as helping the patient deal with their diagnosis, assisting with the decision-making process and reducing anxiety.Interpersonal sources of information such as face-to-face communication with the oncologist or radiation therapist are preferred by many patients, including patients with prostate cancer. Other sources that include the internet and written hospital material are also used with varying degrees of effectiveness to deliver information.The provision of quality information in a timely and effective manner cannot be taken for granted. Access to appropriate information resources can be impeded because of poorly designed information material, inadequate communication, ineffective signposting, resource constraints and lack of knowledge/comprehension on the part of frontline health-care workers dealing with the patient. Radiation therapists are encouraged to be advocates for their patients’ information needs and to be involved in initiatives that will improve the quality, dissemination and efficacy of information.

Download Full-text