To determine which health care provider and what timing is considered most suitable to discuss sexual and relational changes after prostate cancer treatment according to the point of view of men and their partners.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among men diagnosed with prostate cancer or treated after active surveillance, who received laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy. If applicable, partners were included as well.
In this survey, 253 men and 174 partners participated. Mean age of participating men was 69.3 years (SD 6.9, range 45-89). The majority (77.8%) was married and average length of relationship was 40.3 years (SD 14.1, range 2-64). Out of 250 men, 80.5% suffered from moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. Half of them (50.2%, n = 101) was treated for erectile dysfunction and great part was partially (30.7%, n = 31) up to not satisfied (25.7%, n = 26). Half of the partners (50.6%, n = 81) found it difficult to cope with sexual changes. A standard consultation with a urologist-sexologist to discuss altered sexuality is considered preferable by 74.7% (n = 183). Three months after treatment was the most suitable timing according to 47.6% (n = 49).
During follow-up consultations, little attention is paid to the impact of treatment-induced sexual dysfunction on the relationship of men with prostate cancer and their partners. A standard consultation with a urologist-sexologist 3 months after treatment to discuss sexual and relational issues is considered as most preferable.
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. 2018 Jun 07 [Epub ahead of print]
Lorena A Grondhuis Palacios, Esmée M Krouwel, Brenda L den Oudsten, Marjolein E M den Ouden, Gert Jan Kloens, Grethe van Duijn, Hein Putter, Rob C M Pelger, Henk W Elzevier
Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 WB, Leiden, The Netherlands. ., Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 WB, Leiden, The Netherlands., Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands., Research Center of Nursing, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 70000, 7500 KB, Enschede, The Netherlands., Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands., Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 WB, Leiden, The Netherlands.