Coping with Prostate Cancer - Survivors Experiences

Background: In Ireland, Prostate Cancer is the most common male cancer diagnosis, with over 3000 new cases each year, and 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime (Irish Cancer Society 2014). Cancer is an important... [ view full abstract ]

Background: In Ireland, Prostate Cancer is the most common male cancer diagnosis, with over 3000 new cases each year, and 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime (Irish Cancer Society 2014). Cancer is an important public health problem; having economic and social consequences (Turner 2007). Green et al. (2011) suggested that stressors associated with prostate cancer may include adjusting to the diagnosis, making treatment decisions, coping with side effects and dealing with ongoing health-care management.

Aim: To explore how men cope with a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer.

Method: A descriptive phenomenological approach guided this study. Ethical approval was granted by the ethics committees at Athlone Institute of Technology and University Hospital Galway. Purposeful sampling was used to select participants (n=6) in line with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Analysis was guided by Giorgi’s four stages model which involved reading and re-reading the data without making judgements, allowing identification of dominant themes.

Findings:
Participants coping methods emerged within the context of managing the initial diagnosis, coping with incontinence issues (which developed as the most debilitating side-effect of prostate cancer and subsequent treatments), and coping with the effects on hobbies and social interactions. Previous experience of illness, bereavement or involvement with health-care facilities was explored. Prostate cancer was considered a treatable condition.

Conclusion and Implications: Common themes of shock, fear anger and denial, followed by needs for information on disease and treatments following PC diagnosis were evident in the literature (Hagen et al. 2007, Wall et al. 2012, O’Shaughnessy et al. 2013). However, participants in this study reported coping well and adapting their lives around their illness. Managing urinary problems required greater information, support and education. A deficit of information on exercise regimens was evident. Therefore health-care providers may need to consider adjusting communication and care-planning needs with prostate cancer sufferers, to facilitate specific individual needs.