Irish Cancer Society says that prostate cancer survivors need more support post-treatment
The Irish Cancer Society, in partnership with The Movember Foundation, has said that while survival rates for prostate cancer were steadily increasing, up from 68.9% to 90.6% over the last 20 years according to most recent figures*, men are still in need of a lot of post-treatment support.
The Society made the comments as it launched its prostate cancer awareness month and said that figures show that approximately 3,400 men are diagnosed with the disease each year.
The Irish Cancer Society, with support from Movember, funds two specialist nurse-led side effects clinics in Galway University Hospital and St. James’ Hospital Dublin for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This was a direct response to the results of a survey of prostate cancer survivors carried out in 2011 which found that a significant proportion of men said they were not prepared for and had difficulty coping with, the severity of the physical and emotional side-effects of their treatment.
Mary Cremin, Care, Advice, Support and Education (CASE) Nurse in St. James’ Hospital said, “It is really important that the appropriate supports are available for men after a prostate cancer diagnosis. Some of the side-effects, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction, are very difficult to deal with and can be a cause for a lot of extra stress and worry for patients. This is where cancer support services are so valuable. Things like peer to peer groups are extremely beneficial as men can talk to people who have been through it all before.”
“Besides the huge challenge of dealing with the physical impacts of a cancer diagnosis, there is also the emotional and psychological effects to think about. It’s assumed that men are typically that bit slower to seek out help from support services but in my experience they are very open about talking about their worries and concerns. Movember and mental health awareness campaigns have definitely helped in that respect. Psychological support is often needed post-surgery when they are feeling worried about incontinence and do not socialise as much as they used to. They must have a decent quality of life and we help them achieve that.”
“The clinic is really important because it is specific to the needs of prostate cancer patients and all the time and expertise they need can be given to them. A post-diagnosis treatment plan ranging from pre-surgery to post-surgery is put in place so that the men feel supported at each and every point in the process,” Cremin concluded.
The two clinics in Dublin and Galway are staffed by specialist prostate cancer nurses, provide support and care to men following their treatment. A portion of the funds raised by Movember will go directly to this nurse-led CASE service.
The cause of prostate cancer is unknown but there are factors that can increase the chances of getting the disease. Risk increases as people get older with most men being diagnosed with prostate cancer are aged over 50 years. Men whose brother or father developed prostate cancer at a young age also have an increased risk.
Prostate Cancer symptoms may include some or all of the following:
• A slow flow of urine
• Trouble starting or stopping the flow
• Passing urine more often, especially at night
• Pain when passing urine
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Feeling of not emptying your bladder fully
If anyone is concerned about prostate cancer, they can call the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on Freephone 1800 200 700 to speak to a cancer nurse for confidential advice, support and information or email their queries to cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie. Alternatively, they can drop into a Daffodil Centre in one of 13 hospitals nationwide.
*National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) - Cancer Factsheet Prostate - Last updated 26th April 2016
