Abstract
Background
Due to constantly improving treatment techniques, 80% of men treated for prostate cancer can expect to live for 10 years or more beyond their diagnosis. Many men endure long-term side effects from the treatment that have an impact on relationships with their partners.
Previous research has been undertaken with ‘couples’ and interventions have been developed as a result of exploration of the needs of the men with cancer, without examining the impact of the diagnosis and long-term side-effects of treatment on their partners. Female involvement with 'couples’ interventions' has been at the invitation of husbands; women have not been recruited independently.
Aims
This research aims to explore the impact of prostate cancer on the female partners of those with the condition.
Methods
Individual interviews with female partners of men previously treated for prostate cancer were undertaken. Participants were recruited independently of their male partners. A constructivist grounded theory approach was applied that required iterative analysis.
Results
To date 10 women have been interviewed. Preliminary analysis shows that some female partners experience on-going distress as a result of their partners long-term side-effects from treatment. Participants in relationships with men who are many years their senior, report the most serious effects. Some men are not happy for their wives to discuss their condition and therefore would not have opted to take part in ‘couples’ research studies.
Conclusions
Preliminary findings show that older women tend to report coping better with their partners diagnosis and long-term side-effects from prostate cancer treatment. Further recruitment is anticipated.
Due to constantly improving treatment techniques, 80% of men treated for prostate cancer can expect to live for 10 years or more beyond their diagnosis. Many men endure long-term side effects from the treatment that have an impact on relationships with their partners.
Previous research has been undertaken with ‘couples’ and interventions have been developed as a result of exploration of the needs of the men with cancer, without examining the impact of the diagnosis and long-term side-effects of treatment on their partners. Female involvement with 'couples’ interventions' has been at the invitation of husbands; women have not been recruited independently.
Aims
This research aims to explore the impact of prostate cancer on the female partners of those with the condition.
Methods
Individual interviews with female partners of men previously treated for prostate cancer were undertaken. Participants were recruited independently of their male partners. A constructivist grounded theory approach was applied that required iterative analysis.
Results
To date 10 women have been interviewed. Preliminary analysis shows that some female partners experience on-going distress as a result of their partners long-term side-effects from treatment. Participants in relationships with men who are many years their senior, report the most serious effects. Some men are not happy for their wives to discuss their condition and therefore would not have opted to take part in ‘couples’ research studies.
Conclusions
Preliminary findings show that older women tend to report coping better with their partners diagnosis and long-term side-effects from prostate cancer treatment. Further recruitment is anticipated.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 28 Feb 2019 |
| Event | British Psychosocial Oncology Society Annual Conference 2019 - Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Chester, United Kingdom Duration: 28 Feb 2019 → 1 Mar 2019 https://www.bpos.org/events |
Conference
| Conference | British Psychosocial Oncology Society Annual Conference 2019 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | BPOS Annual Conference |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Chester |
| Period | 28/02/19 → 1/03/19 |
| Internet address |
