The incidence of localized prostate cancer (PCa) has risen dramatically in the past several decades with the widespread use of prostate-specific antigen testing.
About 70%-90% of patients with localized PCa are treated with surgery or radiation, with or without hormonal treatment; younger patients more frequently choose aggressive treatment in the form of radical prostatectomy (Cooperberg, Broering, & Carroll, 2010; Schymura et al., 2010). Potential side effects include transient or persistent bowel, hormonal, sexual, and urinary symptoms; general symptoms (e.g., fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance); and emotional distress. These symptoms reduce patients' quality of life and negatively affect their relationship with their partners.
Written by:
Song L, Rini C, Deal AM, Nielsen ME, Chang H, Kinneer P, Teal R, Johnson DC, Dunn MW, Mark B, Palmer MH. Are you the author?
School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Division of Urologic Oncology at Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Nutrition Communication for Health Applications and Interventions Core, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Urology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Reference: Oncol Nurs Forum. 2015 Mar 1;42(2):183-92.
doi: 10.1188/15.ONF.183-192
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25806885