Marital rehabilitation after prostate cancer – a matter of intimacy

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most frequent male cancer disease in the western world. Sexual dysfunction is common after prostate cancer with radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy, but further research is needed to determine the lived experience of couples struggling with sexual dysfunction after treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of men and their partners experiencing sexual side effects after radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. In addition, to understand the role of a structured rehabilitation program on the couple's experience. Couples with persistent sexual problems were recruited among patients treated with radiotherapy or/and androgen deprivation therapy. Descriptive statistics were collected including age, race, education and work. Focus groups with each gender were conducted using open ended questions to encourage participants to talk about their experiences. Data were analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological method. A total of eight couples were recruited, men age 67 years [standard deviation (SD) 6·3], women 65 years (SD 7·2). Results from the focus group interviews regarding marital relations were grouped in three themes: negative impact of sexual dysfunction on the relationship; other physical and psychological consequences of late adverse effects; communication issues and partner feelings of frustration. Results regarding the rehabilitation program were grouped in four themes: importance of peer support; importance of time and space for reflection; improved communication; optimism after rehabilitation. The couples in this study reported that the sexual side effects of prostate cancer treatment impacted their relationship and were problematic for both the men and their partners. The rehabilitation program improved the couples communication concerning sexual intimacy and issues related to prostate cancer treatment. It also offered a chance for peer support from others going through similar experiences and increased hope for navigating through sexual and intimacy issues in the future.

Rationale and design of a randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of multidisciplinary nutritional rehabilitation for patients treated for head and neck cancer (the NUTRI-HAB trial)

“…1). The rehabilitation centre has developed a core programme model through available evidence and more than 10 years' experience in offering multidisciplinary residential rehabilitation programmes for heterogeneous groups of patients with cancer [39,40]. To meet the specific rehabilitation needs of patients treated for HNC, the core programme was further developed through available evidence, patient involvement and a pilot study including 40 patients treated for HNC [4].…”

“…Components of the rehabilitation centre's core programme will be included even though they are not specifically aimed at eating problems. Yet, these activities have shown to be relevant and beneficial to other groups of patients with cancer [39][40][41]. The programme consists of group sessions with patient education and a few individual activities.…”

Family functioning and perceived support from nurses during cancer treatment among Danish and Australian patients and their families

“…Research in this field is just beginning to better understand the needs of family and to consider the family as a unit that includes both the patient and family members. In Denmark, there has been limited research on family nursing and the effects of specific interventions that aim to support families during the illness of a family member (Dieperink, Mark, & Mikkelsen, 2016;Ostergaard & Wagner, 2014). Similarly, Australian researchers have just begun to build an understanding about the importance of "family inclusive care" but evidence is emerging in areas such as paediatrics (Bloomer, O'Connor, Copnell, & Endacott, 2015;Munns & Shields, 2013), critical care (Bloomer, Morphet, O'Connor, Lee, & Griffiths, 2013;Kean & Mitchell, 2014;Wong, Liamputtong, Koch, & Rawson, 2015), aged care (Bauer, Fetherstonhaugh, & Lewis, 2014), disability care (Rillotta, Kirby, Shearer, & Nettelbeck, 2012) and oncology (Coyne, 2013).…”

Rehabilitation targeted late adverse effects after radiotherapy for cervical cancer – Different gains in different settings

“…By talking with peers and receiving qualified information, they realized that they had late adverse effects. This phenomenon is also found in prostate cancer survivors, [22] and information about late adverse effects after cancer should be considered included in clinical practice as a standard for cancer survivors.…”