Sexual wellbeing support for men with prostate cancer: a qualitative study with patients
Megan Charlick1, Michael Murphy2, Barbara Murphy2,3
1Cancer Epidemiology and Population Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Background:
Sexual concerns remain the most frequently reported unmet need among men with prostate cancer. We aimed to explore patient's experiences seeking and receiving sexual wellbeing support after prostate cancer treatment, to ultimately identify areas which should be prioritised for improvement, as informed by the patients themselves.
Methods:
Prostate cancer patients between 18-36 months post-treatment participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted via video conference, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. Interviews explored cancer experience, sexual support sought/received, and barriers to obtaining/receiving sexual wellbeing support.
Results:
Most men relied on their treating clinician or specialist nurse for information about sexual wellbeing, though some consulted other professionals (physiotherapists, sexologists), peak bodies, the internet, or other men with prostate cancer. Information received was often fragmented, not specific to individuals' needs, or given at the wrong time or with limited follow-up. Barriers to help-seeking included the higher priority to be "cancer free", embarrassment, concerns about overburdening healthcare professionals, the perceived reluctance of clinicians to discuss sexual wellbeing and limited time for discussion. Continuity of care, accessibility of sexual-wellbeing experts, involvement of partners and personalised information were perceived as facilitating help-seeking for sexual health concerns.
Conclusions:
To address the numerous shortcomings and barriers to seeking and receiving sexual wellbeing support, men with prostate cancer recommended that support should be provided both pre- and post-treatment, preferably by a healthcare professional trained to provide personalised and evidence-based sexual-wellbeing care. The sexual health needs of men with prostate cancer may be better met through ensuring men have continuing access to sexual wellbeing experts who can provide personalised support.
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