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Updated: May 10, 2026
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A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
Couple distress after localised prostate cancer
Suzanne K Chambers1, Leslie Schover, Lisa Nielsen
1Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, suzanne.chambers@griffith.edu.au.
Summary
Prostate cancer diagnosis causes distress for men and partners. For men, self-esteem is key; for partners, the man's distress is most impactful.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Prostate cancer diagnosis is a significant source of psychological distress for patients and their partners.
- Understanding the prevalence and predictors of distress is crucial for supportive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of psychological distress in men with prostate cancer and their partners.
- To identify predictors of adjustment outcomes for both patients and partners.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of 189 prostate cancer patients and their partners.
- Assessment of socio-demographics, masculine self-esteem, social intimacy, psychological adjustment, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- Female partners reported higher anxiety (36%) than patients.
- For men, masculine self-esteem and time since diagnosis predicted mental health.
- For partners, the patient's distress and sexual bother influenced her mental health.
Conclusions:
- Distress correlates differ between prostate cancer patients and their partners.
- Masculine self-esteem is crucial for men; a partner's distress is significant for women.
- Further research is needed to understand these dyadic interactions.
