Survey of patients and partners reveals lack of awareness or discussion around treatment’s impact on sexual function
Two-in-three prostate cancer patients were not fully prepared for the impact that treatment would have on their sexual function, a new Irish study has found.
The PRO-ACT (Patient-led Research On sexual experience After Cancer Treatment) Survey aims to understand how prostate cancer treatment affects intimacy, mental health, and quality of life for both patients and their partners.
In the poll, 60 per cent said the impact of treatment on their sexual function was either worse, or much worse, than they expected.
Martin Sweeney, PRO-ACT Co-Chief Investigator and prostate cancer patient
Four-in-ten felt they were under-prepared for the impact of treatment on their sexual function, while 66 per cent said they were either underprepared or completely unprepared.
The survey was led by radiation oncologist Prof Paul Kelly and Martin Sweeney, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015 and is a member of Cancer Trials Ireland’s patient consultants committee.
“The results of PRO-ACT show there is a deficit of information at the critical stages of diagnosis and post-treatment for prostate cancer patients and their partners,” said Mr Sweeney.
“There are services that are not provided at all, like physical therapy, sexual therapy, and mental health. Existing medical teams try their best, but typically aren’t qualified in these areas, and it’s unrealistic to expect clinicians to be able to address all of these needs.
“PRO-ACT shows that there is a significant gap in the patient pathway, leaving many patients and their partners to suffer in silence. We need wraparound services to support people affected by prostate cancer.”
Around 4,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland each year, with one-in-seven men expected to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.
While the study identified gaps in awareness of side-effects, 80 per cent of patients said that a longer or clearer discussion with their medical team or doctor would have helped them to be more prepared for the impact of treatment on their sexual function.
When it comes to the partners of those going through treatment, 65 per cent said they were present at the appointment where their partner’s sexual function was discussed. However, 78 per cent said their own sexual wellbeing wasn’t mentioned or discussed with them at all.
“We know that people are now living longer after a prostate cancer diagnosis, and survival rates are improving. In my own family history, I’ve seen how survival rates have changed. My grandfather died as a result of prostate cancer, and my father had prostate cancer 40 years ago,” added Mr Sweeney.
“The survival side of low-grade, localised prostate cancer is thankfully well-managed, so now we need to look at quality-of-life for people living well after prostate cancer. The results of PRO-ACT decisively show the unmet needs of prostate cancer survivors and their partners, and the pressing need for them to be addressed.
“A change of mindset is needed in prostate cancer care, and there is a need for a greater focus on peer and specialist support. It is essential that the patient’s intimate partner is a part of all of this.
“We need to ensure that patients and their partners can live their life to fullest after a prostate cancer diagnosis.”
The study was funded by the Irish Cancer Society and delivered under the guidance of Cancer Trials Ireland.