Prostate cancer patients often express needs for supportive care, eventhough they are not frequently participating in supportive care activities. We studied the psychosocial care needs in relation with the intention seeking psychosocial care in order to improve the communication with the prostate cancer patients about the best fitting psychosocial care. In a cross-sectional study a convenience sample of patients completed the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS), patient’s attitude towards psychosocial care seeking, perceived social support and self-efficacy (using the ASE model), distress was measured by the HADS, the former use and evaluation of supportive care, and several background factors (age, SES, marital status, co-morbidities, disease stage). We included 87 patients, who returned the questionnaire. More than one third of all men did look for expert information. We found significant associations between the behavioral intention of supportive care use and: age, attitude, needs, and the factors distress previous experience with and evaluation of supportive care. Multiple regression analysis pointed out that experiencing psychological and physical needs and depression are the main determinants of the intention to use supportive care. Path-analysis showed that age, marital status and co-morbidity influencing through physical and psychosocial needs, are external factors in the model of explaining the intention to supportive care use. Psychological needs, physical needs and depression are important determinants of the intention to supportive care use. Urologists and urology/oncology nurses and other health-care professionals may use the results for patient centered referrals and the development of more tailormade psychosocial interventions.

Objective: To assess the interest of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in participating in supportive care groups and to evaluate whether participation in their group format of choice fulfilled their supportive care needs. Methods: the study consisted of seven group sessions of 2.5 hours each, every other week. Three different group formats (a social support group for men only, a social support group for couples and a support group for men only, focused on existential issues) were studied. The supportive care needs were assessed using patient interviews conducted before the start of a group session series. The interviews were processed using qualitative methods. Satisfaction was measured at the end of the program by open-ended questions and by quantitative measurement instruments. Results: Of the men with prostate cancer approached, 6% (n = 48) were interested in supportive care and enrolled in the study. The supportive care needs found most often were contact with fellow patients, and a need to learn about practical issues related to prostate cancer and its treatment. Men also wanted to learn how to cope better with the disease. The majority of the men were satisfied with the supportive care they received and it appears that most needs were fulfilled. Conclusion: A minority of men with prostate cancer actually used supportive care; however, the care provided is highly valued and met most participant needs.

OBJECTIVE:This study aims at determining factors related to the intention to participate and actual participation in social support groups for prostate cancer patients, using the framework of the theory of planned behavior. The factors studied are background variables, medical variables, psychosocial variables and attitude, social norms and perceived control. METHODS:From various sources, 238 prostate cancer patients were recruited. The patients filled out a questionnaire, containing standardized instruments on several psychosocial problems and social support, besides questions on demographic and medical characteristics. A specific questionnaire was developed to assess attitude, social norms and perceived control concerning the participation in support groups. From the recruited men, 48 participated in one of the support groups organized by the researchers. RESULTS:Logistic regression revealed that age, lack of social support, a positive attitude and a high perceive control are predictive for the intention to participate in a social support group. Perceived control and the number of prostate-specific problems did predict the factual participation. CONCLUSION:Many prostate cancer patients report psychosocial problems. A more positive attitude towards group participation and the availability of support groups at short travel distance facilitates the interest in and the factual group participation. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS:Urologist and urological nurses can play a role in creating a more positive attitude towards group participation, especially if the social support system is weak. Groups should be organized close to patients' place of residence.

Objective: (1) To explore to what degree prostate cancer (PC) patients felt they had participated in treatment decision making (TDM). (2) To determine whether perceived roles during TDM were associated with medical and sociodemographic variables. (3) To examine to what extent satisfaction with TDM was related to perceived role or medical and sociodemographic variables.Methods: Patients (n = 126) were recruited in hospitals and from the Dutch PC patient organization. The relationship between patients' role and stage of disease, treatment modality, age, social status and education was determined, as well as patients' satisfaction with TDM.Results: Most patients felt they had participated in TDM (autonomous 18%, collaborative 60%). Older patients and those with advanced disease more frequently reported not having been involved in decision making. Satisfaction with TDM was related to age and role in TDM but not to stage of disease or treatment modality. Younger men were least content when they had not been involved in decision making.Conclusion: Patients' level of participation and satisfaction with TDM appears to be related to medical and sociodemographic variables.Practice implications: Satisfaction with TDM may be related to patients' age and assumed role. It is recommended to take this into account when planning treatment for prostate cancer patients. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background The objective of this study was to compare prostate cancer (PC) patients who are and who are not members of the Dutch prostate cancer patients’ association (PCPA) with respect to demographic, medical and psychosocial characteristics. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, 88 non-members and 150 members of the PCPA were included. Results The results show that members are younger, have a higher socio-economic status and experience higher levels of distress. Furthermore, members are less content with the patient education and the psychosocial support available in hospital. Members also have a higher need to talk about problems and a more positive attitude towards participation in support groups. Conclusion It can be concluded that members of the patients’ association differ from non-members. This has clinical and methodological relevance for further study among PC patients, as well as practical relevance for the policy of patients’ associations.

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent solid malignancy in men in the Netherlands. With regard to treatment, the focus of attention has shifted in the last decade from pure survival rates to health-related quality of life. HRQOL is affected differently by different treatments. The objective of this study is to assess the HRQOL related to treatment regime and time since diagnosis in Dutch men with prostate cancer. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 238 men with prostate cancer in a heterogeneous sample who filled in a general health-related quality-of-life measure (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and a prostate cancer specific quality-of-life instrument (the EORTC-QLQ-PR25) and a Joy-of-Life questionnaire. Men on hormonal treatment are doing worse compared with other treatments with respect to physical functioning, role functioning, fatigue, pain and sexual functioning. No differences were found between radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy on any of the HRQOL dimensions nor for time since diagnosis. In hormonal therapy, men who are diagnosed longer than two years ago report a worse cognitive functioning and more burdens from urinary problems.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. The number of studies on the impact of this disease on psychosocial well-being and functioning in daily life is increasing. This paper provides a review of the literature on psychosocial problems and studies on educational and supportive interventions for men with prostate cancer. Papers on psychosocial problems indicate the existence of anxiety, loss of manliness, shame and limitations in daily life. However, the validity of the results is questionable. Depression is only a problem in selected patients. Many patients experience problems related to erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. A few studies indicate that psychosocial interventions are beneficial for patients with respect to different areas such as participating more actively in treatment decisions and reduction of anxiety. Future studies should be aiming at specific psychosocial problems in different stages of prostate cancer. This knowledge can be used to develop appropriate psychosocial interventions for this patient group. (aut.ref.)