Men's help-seeking in the first year after diagnosis of localised prostate cancer

• Published in: European journal of cancer care Vol. 26; no. 2; p. 12 pages
• Main Authors: Hyde, M.K, Newton, R.U, Galvão, D.A, Gardiner, R.A, Occhipinti, S, Lowe, A, Wittert, G.A, Chambers, S.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Australia
• ISSN: 0961-5423

This study describes sources of support utilised by men with localised prostate cancer in the first year after diagnosis and examines characteristics associated with help-seeking for men with unmet needs. A cross-sectional survey of 331 patients from a population-based sample who were in the first year after diagnosis (M = 9.6, SD = 1.9) was conducted to assess sources of support, unmet supportive care needs, domain-specific quality of life and psychological distress. Overall, 82% of men reported unmet supportive care needs. The top five needs were sexuality (58%); prostate cancer-specific (57%); psychological (47%); physical and daily living (41%); and health system and information (31%). Professional support was most often sought from doctors (51%). Across most domains, men who were older (Ps = 0.03), less well educated (Ps = 0.04) and more depressed (Ps = 0.05) were less likely to seek help for unmet needs. Greater sexual help-seeking was related to better sexual function (P = 0.03), higher education (P = 0.03) and less depression (P = 0.05). Unmet supportive care needs are highly prevalent after localised prostate cancer diagnosis with older age, lower education and higher depression apparent barriers to help-seeking. Interventions that link across medicine, nursing and community based peer support may be an accessible approach to meeting these needs. [MEDIUM] References