Addressing the needs of long-term prostate cancer survivors
Cancer Council NSW researchers have found that over one third of long-term Australian prostate cancer survivors need more supportive care than they are getting.
Background
Australia has one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world with over 16,700 men expected to be diagnosed during 2020. Due to improved detection and diagnosis, the number of men surviving long after diagnosis has been steadily increasing, but for many men their quality of life can be affected.
The research
The team conducted a 15-year follow-up survey with eligible men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2000 and 2002.
The study found around 37% of the men reported at least one unmet supportive care need 15 years on from their diagnosis. The majority of men continued to report needs that were unsatisfied or not sufficiently addressed in terms of their comprehensive cancer care (34%), including lack of medical team coordination and control over the treatment process. Another common concern was ongoing problems with sexual function (13%). Of the men who reported this concern, 87% rated this need as moderate/severe.
The findings show that a significant proportion of men are still suffering the consequences of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment more than a decade after diagnosis and don’t feel they are getting the support they need.
The impact
These findings highlight the pressing need for clinicians to work better together to coordinate prostate cancer care, and to actively enquire about and support men’s sexual adjustment to prostate cancer. Men could be better supported by regularly assessing and managing the physical and mental effects of prostate cancer and related treatment, as we see these issues can translate into long-term needs.
Associate Professor David Smith
Cancer Council NSW
Associate Professor Ilona Juraskova
Dr Rachel Campbell
Carolyn Mazariego