A longitudinal study of coping strategies in men receiving radiotherapy and neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation for prostate cancer: a quantitative and qualitative study

Turning a Curve: How People Use Everyday Resources to Negotiate Recovery From Cancer Treatment With Curative Intent

Many more cancers are treated with intent to cure now than in previous decades, but for most, this involves significant effects from which people need to recover psychologically and socially, as well as physically. This longitudinal photo-elicitation interview study uses grounded theory to explain how people discharged from specialist care made use of everyday social and material resources to manage this process at home. Recovery is presented as a curve in life's pathway requiring gradual reorientation, drawing on social worlds and domestic resources to calibrate this process. Findings are described in three stages: (1) responding to diagnosis and treatment, (2) using social resources for meaning-making, and (3) developing assets for recovery. During treatment, participants drew on past identities to reinforce their sense of self, and personalized health care communication supported this process. In the weeks after treatment, new frameworks of understanding were constructed from perspectives on cancer encountered in the family, workplace, and outpatient clinics. Recovery processes included the negotiation of personal change, the renegotiation of close relationships, and the use of everyday resources to regain three sensations: control, comfort, and continuity. Supportive care would benefit from an individualized exploration of the assets that can help people to negotiate this challenging phase as treatment comes to a close. Possibilities for self-care (the maintenance of health and well-being in the context of everyday life) can be explored and assessed through personalized discussion around the identities, social worlds, and everyday resources available to each individual.

Qualitative exploration of sexual dysfunction and associated coping strategies among Iranian prostate cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

Our understanding of the experiences of prostate cancer survivors regarding their sexual life and related issues remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore sexual dysfunction and associated coping strategies among Iranian prostate cancer survivors.

METHODS

A qualitative study was undertaken. Participants were 15 Iranian prostate cancer survivors chosen using purposeful sampling. Data collection involved conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews, followed by the utilization of the conventional qualitative content analysis method for data analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes were developed: (a) suspension of sexual life-treatment for prostate cancer significantly impacted participants' sexual lives; (b) emotional resilience and psychological coping strategies-various psychological strategies were used to tackle sexual dysfunction; (c) efforts to regain sexual function-several strategies were applied to enhance sexual performance.

CONCLUSION

Our study findings provide insights into the experiences of prostate cancer survivors and subsequent shifts in their sexual dynamics and coping with the disease. Healthcare providers should actively identify patients' concerns and develop culturally tailored care strategies to address sexual challenges and improve coping among prostate cancer survivors.

Preferences for Tailored Support - Patients' and Health Care Professionals' Experiences Regarding Symptoms and Self-Management Strategies During the First Year After Curatively Intended Prostate Cancer Treatment

Purpose

There is an increase in the number of men undergoing screening for prostate cancer, and advancements in treatments, which implies current knowledge about symptoms and self-management. This study aims to explore experiences of symptom distress, and self-management strategies during the first year after curatively intended treatment for prostate cancer, as identified by patients and health care professionals.

Methods

A qualitative design was used, including data triangulation from individual interviews with patients (n =17) and one focus group interview with healthcare professionals (n =5). Thematic analysis was used.

Results

The two main themes were identified: living with the consequences of treatment and navigating a new situation. Living with the consequences of treatment illustrated how losing control of bodily functions such as bladder, bowel, and sexual functions interfered with daily life. A stigma around the disease was described, and a life living in an unfamiliar body challenged ideas of masculinity. The first months after treatment ended was a distressing period related to the abruption in frequent contact with healthcare providers, and concerns about the future. The second theme, navigating a new situation, illustrates that self-management strategies varied, due to individual factors as did the need for tailored information and support provided from healthcare professionals and family, which was highly valued. Information and support were described as complex topics and healthcare professionals emphasized the need for appropriate education for staff to provide proper support to men after ended treatment.

Conclusion

Lingering symptoms and concerns were evident during the first year after treatment. Self-management strategies varied, and timely and tailored information and support during the first year were considered highly valued, important, and preferred by patients. Our results indicate that support should be offered immediately after curatively intended treatment.

Supportive care needs of men with prostate cancer: A systematic review update

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is highly prevalent and impacts profoundly on patients' quality of life, leading to a range of supportive care needs.

METHODS

An updated systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative data using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) reporting guidelines, to explore prostate cancer patients' experience of, and need for, supportive care. Five databases (Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Emcare and ASSIA) were searched; extracted data were synthesised using Corbin and Strauss's 'Three Lines of Work' framework.

RESULTS

Searches identified 2091 citations, of which 105 were included. Overarching themes emerged under the headings of illness, everyday life and biographical work. Illness work needs include consistency and continuity of information, tailored to ethnicity, age and sexual orientation. Biographical work focused on a desire to preserve identity in the context of damaging sexual side effects. Everyday life needs centred around exercise and diet support and supportive relationships with partners and peers. Work-related issues were highlighted specifically by younger patients, whereas gay and bisexual men emphasised a lack of specialised support.

CONCLUSION

While demonstrating some overarching needs common to most patients with prostate cancer, this review offers novel insight into the unique experiences and needs of men of different demographic backgrounds, which will enable clinicians to deliver individually tailored supportive care.

A Qualitative Study of Cancer Survivors' Experienced Outcomes of a Multidimensional Rehabilitation Program in Primary Healthcare

BACKGROUND

Cancer survival rates are increasing, but survival is often followed by several late effects. Cancer survivors' need for complex rehabilitation is well documented, but this is mostly missing in primary healthcare.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore cancer survivors' experienced outcomes of a multidimensional rehabilitation program in primary healthcare.

METHODS

The study used a qualitative method with a descriptive research design. Fifty-six cancer survivors completed a 12-week rehabilitation program built upon the 5 elements of goal setting, physical exercise, psychoeducation, individual follow-up, and peer support. Data were collected at the end of the program via 8 focus group interviews, and systematic text condensation was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

"Increased coping and participation" was identified as the overarching theme of the participants' experienced outcomes from the program, and this was elaborated by 3 main themes: (1) "increased energy and capacity," (2) "acceptance and understanding," and (3) "structure and hope."

CONCLUSION

The multidimensional rehabilitation program seemed to address cancer survivors' multiple challenges in survivorship. Proximity and accessibility to a local rehabilitation program and professionals' competence seemed to be essential factors for the participants' experienced outcomes of the program.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

A multidimensional rehabilitation program integrated in a Healthy Life Centre in primary healthcare may be beneficial for cancer survivors' coping and participation in everyday life. Cancer nurses play a crucial role in initiating and facilitating such programs.

Men's sexual help-seeking and care needs after radical prostatectomy or other non-hormonal, active prostate cancer treatments

OBJECTIVE

To examine prostate cancer (PCa) survivors' sexual help-seeking intentions, behaviours, and unmet needs.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, men who underwent active, non-hormonal treatment completed baseline (N = 558) and 6-month follow-up (N = 387) questionnaires. Theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs (sexual help-seeking intention, perceived behavioural control (PBC), subjective norm, attitude), masculine values (e.g., sexual importance/priority, emotional self-reliance), sex life and functioning, sexual supportive care needs, distress (anxiety, depression), and sexual help-seeking behaviour were assessed.

RESULTS

Most men (M age = 64.6 years; M years post-diagnosis = 4.0) received prostatectomy (93%), reported severe erectile dysfunction (52%), ≥ 1 unmet sexual care need (66%), and sought help from a doctor (baseline 52%, follow-up 42%). Sexual care needs were significantly associated with poorer erectile function, reduced satisfaction with sex-life, valuing sex as important/integral to identity (masculine values), and increased depression (p ≤ 0.001). Sexual help-seeking intentions were significantly associated with valuing sex as important/integral to identity, recent help-seeking, greater confidence/control, perceiving support from important others, and positive attitudes, for sexual help-seeking (p < 0.001). Significant predictors of sexual help-seeking (follow-up) were baseline intentions, recent help-seeking (p < 0.001), and increased anxiety (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Men's unmet sexual care needs, sexual help-seeking intentions, and behaviour appear driven by the importance/value attributed to sex, distress, positive feelings, support from others, and confidence for help-seeking. Psychosocial providers are well-placed to address men's concerns, yet few sought their assistance. Interventions to improve men's access to effective sexual care are needed, particularly focused on reframing masculine values about the importance of sex and leveraging TPB-based predictors of help-seeking.

"In the same boat"-a mixed-methods exploration of reasons why male gastrointestinal cancer patients joined a professionally led men-only cancer support group

PURPOSE

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients often suffer high rates of distress and social isolation, partially due to symptoms that are embarrassing or difficult to discuss with family or friends. Group support therapies mitigate illness-related stigma and standardization; however, men, in particular, are more averse to joining. Through an ongoing men-only GI cancer support group, this study sought to understand who joined the groups, what facilitated group uptake, and explore men's reasons for enrolling in the group.

METHODS

A mixed-methods study design and analysis were used. A qualitative design utilizing open-ended, semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were used; Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) directed the inquiry towards facets of group uptake. Standardized measures were also used to assess distress, coping, and quality of life (QoL) and compared with normative values for cancer and general population. Data from qualitative and quantitative findings were triangulated.

RESULTS

Participants included 35 male GI cancer patients, aged 28-72, at varying stages of illness and treatment. Themes related to group uptake and enrollment were endorsement; composition; and attitudes, and reasons for joining were learning new coping techniques and affiliations with similar others. Men's QoL and psychological distress scores were on par with cancer patient norms. The scores obtained from quantitative scales corroborated with our qualitative findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite psychosocial, demographic, and clinical variations, participants were keen on joining a male-only Supportive-Expressive Therapy (SET) group to address their emotional, informational, and supportive care needs and express their solidarity for other patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Findings bear clinical relevance for designing GI male-centered group formats that endorse men's needs and facilitate their accessibility to group support interventions.

‘You feel like you haven’t got any control’: A qualitative study of side effects from medicines

Objectives

An aging UK population and multi-morbidity means patients are receiving an increasing number of medicines. This can lead to greater risk of unintended side effects. The aim of this study was to increase understanding of how people identify and manage side effects from their medicines.

Design

A qualitative interview study with patients who had experienced side effects, recruited from community pharmacies.

Methods

This study examined patients’ experiences of side effects and the impact of these effects on their daily life. Fifteen participants were interviewed – 10 females and 5 males, with ages that ranged between 25 and 80 years, using different types and numbers of medicines.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed six themes: side effect experience, identification, adherence, information use, coping and body awareness. Participants described a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms which had both explicit and implicit impact on their lives. A system of identification based on constructed cognitive processes was common across participants. A variety of strategies were used by participants to cope with their side effects which included information seeking, social support seeking and non-adherent behaviours.

Conclusions

Psychological factors, such as medication beliefs, symptom interpretation and body awareness, contribute to cognitive and behavioural processes used to identify and manage side effects. These processes can have significant impacts on an individual’s decisions about adherence.

Development of an adjustment ability scale for outpatients with cancer: Verification of its reliability and validity

AIMS

To develop an adjustment ability scale for outpatients with cancer and to investigate its reliability and validity.

DESIGN

Quantitative study.

METHODS

A proposed adjustment ability scale was prepared based on scale development guidelines. Its reliability and validity were statistically analysed using data obtained from 369 patients.

RESULTS

Six factors were extracted from the factor analysis. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.95 and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.83. A correlation coefficient of .48 was determined between the adjustment ability scale and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (Japanese version), which assesses psychological adaptations via the cognitive-behavioural responses of patients with cancer. The correlation coefficient between the scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (Japanese version 4), which measures quality of life among patients with cancer, was 0.15.

The THRIVE model: A framework and review of internal and external predictors of coping with chronic illness

This article explores the ways in which people cope with social and clinical dimensions of their chronic conditions. Existing literature was reviewed to categorize factors identified as being key. They were sorted into six groupings which are reflected by the acronym THRIVE: therapeutic interventions, habit and routine, relational-social, individual differences, values and beliefs, and emotional factors. We found little evidence to suggest different conditions prompt unique coping responses; rather, a range of common factors were observed across diverse conditions. The THRIVE framework not only summarizes current literature but provides a starting point for further research and development of future interventions.

Coping and adjustment in men with prostate cancer: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Purpose

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common forms of cancer amongst males. Men’s coping responses are an important determinant of functioning and adjustment to this disease. Previous qualitative research exists in this area, but the current review sought to systematically review and summarise these studies.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to identify studies concerned with men’s coping strategies in their attempts to live with PCa. A search of relevant electronic databases was conducted to identify studies that met inclusion criteria for this review. Methodological quality assessment was also undertaken for each included study.

Results

One hundred twenty-one publications were identified for initial screening, and 18 studies were included in the review. A total of five coping strategy categories or ‘meta-themes’ were identified across included studies. These categories were labelled ‘avoidance, minimisation, and withdrawal’, ‘directing cognition and attention’, ‘reframing masculinity and seeking support’, ‘retain pre-illness identity and lifestyle’, and ‘symptom/side-effect management’.

Conclusions

A range of coping strategies were reported by men with PCa. Some of these strategies appear to be partially influenced by gender roles and masculinities. Coping meta-themes reported in this review have also been found in other research on men’s coping. Strategies relating to flexible interpretation of gender roles/masculinities may be a particularly relevant category of coping responses due to the hypothesised beneficial impact of flexibility on psychological well-being.

Implications for cancer survivors

PCa survivors utilise a range of coping strategies, and the types of strategies used may have implications for men’s well-being. The ability to be flexible in both coping responses used, and in the view of oneself as a man may be particularly important skills in meeting the challenges associated with this disease.

A qualitative metasynthesis exploring the impact of prostate cancer and its management on younger, unpartnered and gay men

Prostate cancer (PCa) can negatively impact on men's sexual, urinary and emotional functioning, affecting quality of life. Most men with PCa are older (≥65 years), married and heterosexual and little is known about the impact on men who are younger, unpartnered or gay. We aimed to synthesise existing qualitative research on these three groups of men. A systematic metasynthesis was undertaken that included data on the unique impacts of PCa on younger (<65 years) (n = 7 papers), unpartnered (n = 17 papers) or gay or bisexual men (n = 11 papers) using a modified meta-ethnographic approach. The three overarching constructs illustrated the magnified disruption to men's biographies, that included: marginalisation, isolation and stigma-relating to men's sense of being "out of sync"; the burden of emotional and embodied vulnerabilities and the assault on identity-illustrating the multiple threats to men's work, sexual and social identities; shifting into different communities of practice-such as the shift from being part of a sexually active community to celibacy. These findings suggest that PCa can have a particular impact on the quality of life of younger, unpartnered and gay men. This has implications for the provision of tailored support and information to these potentially marginalised groups.

Andersen K, Minet LR, Hansen O. Male coping through a long-term cancer trajectory. Secondary outcomes from a RTC examining the effect of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program (RePCa) among radiated men with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to examine if rehabilitation influenced self-reported male coping styles during and up to three years after treatment with radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a single-center oncology unit in Odense, Denmark, 161 prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy were included in a randomized controlled trial from 2010 to 2012. The trial examined the effect of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program within six months of treatment consisting of two nursing counseling sessions and two instructive sessions with a physical therapist (n = 79), or standard care (n = 82). As secondary outcomes coping was measured before radiotherapy, one month after radiotherapy (baseline), six month post-intervention (assessment) and three years after radiotherapy (follow-up) by the Mini-mental adjustment to cancer scale (Mini-MAC). The male coping styles towards the illness are expressed in five mental adjustment styles: Fighting Spirit, Helplessness-Hopelessness, Anxious Preoccupation, Fatalism and Cognitive Avoidance. Descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for the longitudinal design were conducted.

RESULTS

Most coping styles remained stable during the patient trajectory but Anxious Preoccupation declined from before radiotherapy to follow-up in both intervention and control groups. After six months the intervention group retained Fighting Spirit significantly (p = 0.025) compared with controls, but after three years this difference evened out. After three years the intervention group had lower Cognitive Avoidance (p = 0.044) than the controls. Factors as educational level, and depression influenced the use of coping styles after three years.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation in irradiated prostate cancer patients retained the adjustment style Fighting Spirit stable after six months of radiotherapy, and in the long term reduced Cognitive Avoidance. Thus, the rehabilitation program supported the patient's active coping style and played down the passive coping style.

From early detection to rehabilitation in the community: reading beyond the blog testimonies of survivors' quality of life and prostate cancer representation

Background

Survivors’ testimonies can reveal much about men’s experiences of prostate cancer and impacts on their quality of life (QOL) during the clinical trajectory of the disease. These survivors’ shared thoughts and views were hypothesized to reflect salient features of their lived social representation of prostate cancer.

Context

We explored the content of testimonies posted by men to a public blog hosted by a French national prostate cancer patients’ association. The study question, “What do French bloggers’ testimonies reveal about their lived experiences with prostate cancer, especially regarding their quality of life in community settings, that underpin their social representation of prostate cancer?” guided the exploration and analysis of the textual data. The aims were to better understand men’s experiences and predominant thoughts and views, to elucidate patients’ behaviours, and to enlighten medical policy and practice.

Purpose

Explore issues of QOL as reported by French prostate cancer survivors in a public blog by: (a) identifying the salient aspects and issues of the experience of living with prostate cancer from the perspective of survivors; and (b) analyzing the content in the posted testimonies regarding perceived and lived impacts of prostate cancer on QOL.

Methods

A critical ethnographic study guided the selection of textual data from 196 male bloggers’ testimonies about prostate cancer posted in the period from 2008 to 2013. Media content analysis method was undertaken on blog testimonies, framed by a multidimensional conceptual framework of QOL.

Results

Testimonies focused mainly on medical care and rehabilitation, recovery, health education and self-care, as well as on a global vision of prostate cancer and its impacts on personal views of manhood and masculinity. The language used indicated that political, educative and compassionate discourses were intertwined to create a complex representation of the experience and effects of prostate cancer; this multi-faceted representation can inform the public and professional debate about men’s capacity to provide emotional support and problem-solve within a community of interest.

Conclusion

Findings, while based on data limited to mostly one-time entries to a French blog, contribute to understanding a unique, collective expression of men’s lived experiences of prostate cancer. These anonymous survivors shared their varied reactions, ways of coping, and thoughts on needed change.

The Relationship Between Self-Blame for the Onset of a Chronic Physical Health Condition and Emotional Distress: A Systematic Literature Review

OBJECTIVE

Past literature presents contrasting perspectives regarding the potential influence of self-blame on adjustment to illness. This systematic literature review aimed to summarize findings from all investigations to date that have explored the relationship between self-blame for the onset of a chronic physical health condition and emotional distress.

METHOD

Between November 2014 and February 2015, electronic databases were searched for relevant literature. Only those studies which assessed self-blame directly and related specifically to illness onset were included within the review. The methodological and reporting quality of all eligible articles was assessed, and themes within the findings were discussed using a narrative synthesis approach.

RESULTS

The majority of studies found self-blame to be associated with increased distress. However, several concerns with the quality of the reviewed articles may undermine the validity of their conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important for professionals supporting people with chronic physical health conditions to have an understanding of how of self-critical causal attributions might relate to emotional distress. Further research is required to understand the concept of self-blame, the factors that may encourage this belief and to develop reliable and valid measures of this experience. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE

What does this study add? The review presents an exploration of the role of self-blame in emotional adjustment following the diagnosis of a chronic physical health condition. This is the first review to synthesize findings from studies measuring self-blame beliefs directly and specifically for illness onset and their relationship to indicators of distress and wellbeing. Findings suggest that self-blame for illness onset is often associated with emotional distress for people with cancer, HIV/AIDS and cardiovascular disease. This has implications for how healthcare professionals respond to self-blaming beliefs in the context of illness. Research quality concerns are identified for many of the reviewed studies, highlighting a need for further research on this topic.

An exploration of men's experiences of undergoing active surveillance for favourable-risk prostate cancer: A mixed methods study protocol

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is one of the most common male cancers worldwide. Active Surveillance (AS) has been developed to allow men with lower risk disease to postpone or avoid the adverse side effects associated with curative treatments until the disease progresses. Despite the medical benefits of AS, it is reported that living with untreated cancer can create a significant emotional burden for patients.

METHODS/DESIGN

The aim of this study is to gain insight into the experiences of men eligible to undergo AS for favourable-risk PCa. This study has a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design consisting of two phases: quantitative followed by qualitative. Phase 1 has a multiple point, prospective, longitudinal exploratory design. Ninety men diagnosed with favourable-risk prostate cancer will be assessed immediately post-diagnosis (baseline) and followed over a period of 12 months, in intervals of 3 month. Ninety age-matched men with no cancer diagnosis will also be recruited using peer nomination and followed up in the same 3 month intervals. Following completion of Phase 1, 10-15 AS participants who have reported both the best and worst psychological functioning will be invited to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Phase 2 will facilitate further exploration of the quantitative results and obtain a richer understanding of participants' personal interpretations of their illness and psychological wellbeing.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study to utilise early baseline measures; include a healthy comparison group; calculate sample size through power calculations; and use a mixed methods approach to gain a deeper more holistic insight into the experiences of men diagnosed with favourable-risk prostate cancer.

Medical Help-Seeking for Sexual Concerns in Prostate Cancer Survivors

INTRODUCTION

Although sexual dysfunction is common after prostate cancer, men's decisions to seek help for sexual concerns are not well understood.

AIM

Describe predictors of actual prior help-seeking and intended future medical help-seeking for sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer survivors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 510 prostate cancer survivors assessed masculine beliefs, attitudes, support/approval from partner/peer networks (subjective norm), and perceived control as predictors of medical help-seeking for sexual concerns. A theory of planned behavior (TPB) perspective was used to examine actual prior and planned future behavior and contributing factors. Statistical analyses included multiple and logistic regressions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intention to see a doctor for sexual advice or help in the next 6 months was measured using the intention subscale adapted from the Attitudes to Seeking Help after Cancer Scale. Prior help-seeking was measured with a dichotomous yes/no scale created for the study.

RESULTS

Men were Mage 71.69 years (SD = 7.71); 7.54 years (SD = 4.68) post-diagnosis; received treatment(s) (58.1% radical prostatectomy; 47.1% radiation therapy; 29.4% hormonal ablation); 81.4% reported severe ED (IIED 0-6) and 18.6% moderate-mild ED (IIED 7-24). Overall, 30% had sought sexual help in the past 6 months, and 24% intended to seek help in the following 6 months. Prior help-seeking was less frequent among men with severe ED. Sexual help-seeking intentions were associated with lower education, prior sexual help-seeking, sexual importance/ priority, emotional self-reliance, positive attitude, and subjective norm (R(2) = 0.56).

CONCLUSION

The TPB has utility as a theoretical framework to understand prostate cancer survivors' sexual help-seeking decisions and may inform development of more effective interventions. Masculine beliefs were highly salient. Men who were more emotionally self-reliant and attributed greater importance to sex formed stronger help-seeking intentions. Subjective norm contributed most strongly to help-seeking intentions suggesting that health professionals/partners/peers have a key role as support mechanisms and components of psycho-sexual interventions.

The experience and perceptions of men with prostate cancer and their partners of the CONNECT psychosocial intervention: a qualitative exploration

AIM

To explore the experience of prostate cancer survivors and their partners of the CONNECT psychosocial intervention.

BACKGROUND

There is a scarcity of evidence relating to interventions to help men and their partners cope with the after affects of prostate cancer treatment.

DESIGN

This study employed a qualitative design for in depth exploration through couple interviews. The addition of a short process evaluation questionnaire was used to supplement the qualitative data.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted between January 2012-October 2012 with a purposive sample of 11 couple dyads who had participated in the CONNECT intervention. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyse the findings from the questionnaire data.

RESULTS

Couples perceived benefits of participating in the intervention to include: opportunities to share experiences, gain validation, obtain information and engage in couple care. The expertise of the professional facilitator and group dynamics were highlighted as factors influencing the success of the intervention. Potential areas for improvement of the intervention were identified as being: further development of the sexual dysfunction component; incorporation of a partner specific session to better address their needs; determination of optimal delivery format and timing; and further tailoring of the components of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Although there were areas that could be further improved, this psychosocial intervention was valued by the participants. The insight gained from this qualitative exploration can be used to make the necessary changes before the intervention can be tested in a large randomised controlled trial.

The lived experience of men with advanced cancer in relation to their perceptions of masculinity: a qualitative phenomenological study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this exploratory research was to understand how men experience their advanced cancer in relation to their perceptions of masculinity.

BACKGROUND

There are differences in the way men and women experience illness and health care. There are inequalities in incidence and morbidities of many diseases as well as differences in rates of help-seeking behaviours. Theories on masculinity offer some explanation towards this. Men's experiences of advanced cancer in relation to masculinity are under reported, published literature suggests that there are certain issues or men dealing with advanced disease that justify investigation.

DESIGN

A Qualitative approach using a Husserlian Phenomenological design was conducted.

SAMPLE

Eight men (aged 26-68) all with advanced cancer, defined as advanced or metastatic disease for which the patient had exhausted all standard therapeutic options.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted to capture narratives of the experiences of men. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's seven stage framework.

RESULTS

Themes included thwarted ambition, changing expectations, protection and provision, stoicism and coping, images of illness versus images of masculinity, importance of being a fighter and loss.

CONCLUSION

Findings showed that the experiences of these men were complex and should be handled sensitively. Ideas for gender-specific interventions and further research were developed from the findings in relation to current literature.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

A better understanding and awareness of this in this context will help nurses to consider more subtle challenges that these patients may be dealing with that in turn could affect how they cope with the burden of cancer.