A review of prostate-specific antigen screening prevalence and risk perceptions for first-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer.

First-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer have a higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than men without a family history. The present review examines the prevalence and predictors of testing in first-degree relatives, perceptions of risk, prostate cancer knowledge and psychological consequences of screening. Medline, PsycInfo and Cinahl databases were searched for articles examining risk perceptions or screening practices of first-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer for the period of 1990 to August 2007. Eighteen studies were eligible for inclusion. First-degree relatives participated in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing more and perceived their risk of prostate cancer to be higher than men without a family history. Family history factors (e.g. being an unaffected son rather than an unaffected brother) were consistent predictors of PSA testing. Studies were characterized by sampling biases and a lack of longitudinal assessments. Prospective, longitudinal assessments with well-validated and comprehensive measures are needed to identify factors that cue the uptake of screening and from this develop an evidence base for decision support. Men with a family history may benefit from targeted communication about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer testing that responds to the implications of their heightened risk.

Making decisions about treatment for localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the decision-making processes used by men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who were considering treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer from outpatient urology clinics and urologists' private practices were approached before treatment. Their decision-making processes and information-seeking behaviour was assessed; demographic information was also obtained. RESULTS: Of 119 men approached, 108 (90%) were interviewed; 91% reported non-systematic decision processes, with deferral to the doctor, positive and negative recollections of others' cancer experiences, and the pre-existing belief that surgery is a better cancer treatment being most common. For systematic information processing the mean (sd, range) number of items considered was 4.19 (2.28, 0-11), with 57% of men considering four or fewer treatment/medical aspects of prostate cancer. Men most commonly considered cancer stage (59%), urinary incontinence (55%) and impotence (51%) after surgery, and low overall mortality (45%). Uncertainty about probabilities for cure was reported by 43% of men and fear of cancer spread by 37%. Men also described uncertainty about the probabilities of side-effects (27%), decisional uncertainty (25%) and anticipated decisional regret (18%). Overall, 73% of men sought information about prostate cancer from external sources, most commonly the Internet, followed by family and friends. CONCLUSIONS: In general, men did not use information about medical treatments comprehensively or systematically when making treatment decisions, and their processing of medical information was biased by their previous beliefs about cancer and health. These findings have implications for the provision of informational and decisional support to men considering prostate cancer treatment.

Men's attitudes toward prostate cancer and seeking prostate-specific antigen testing.

BACKGROUND: Although the Australian Cancer Society recommends against performing PSA tests to screen for prostate cancer, many Australian men currently undergo such screening. This study investigated attitudinal variables that may predict prostate cancer screening behaviors in this context. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered by mail in a two-phase procedure, first to a sample of 1,461 men (46% response), then to 919 men from the initial sample. Prostate cancer screening behaviors of men > 40 years old were examined. The questionnaire assessed worry about prostate cancer, perceived vulnerability to prostate cancer, belief in the efficacy of PSA testing for detection, having received a PSA test for detection, and the presence of urologic symptoms at the time of testing. RESULTS: Men who had had PSA testing with urologic symptoms at the time of the test were more worried about prostate cancer and perceived themselves as more vulnerable to prostate cancer compared with both asymptomatic tested and untested men. Men who had undergone PSA testing believed the test to be more effective in the detection of prostate cancer than did men who had not. CONCLUSIONS: Urologic symptoms act as a risk cue for men to prostate cancer. Asymptomatic men should be considered separately from symptomatic men in the investigation of psychological variables predictive of seeking screening for prostate cancer. These findings are discussed in terms of both the focus and design of interventions to alter prostate cancer screening behavior and their implications for the clinical management of men with urologic symptoms.

The supportive care needs of men with prostate cancer (2000).

The diagnosis and subsequent treatment of prostate cancer is followed by a range of significant disease specific and iatrogenic sequelae. However, the supportive care needs of men with prostate cancer are not well described in the literature. The present study assesses the supportive care needs of men with prostate cancer who are members of prostate cancer self-help groups in Queensland, Australia. In all, 206 men aged between 48 and 85 years (mean=68) completed the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS) (62% response). The SCNS is a validated measure assessing perceived need in the domains of psychological needs, health system and information needs, physical and daily living needs, patient care and support, and sexuality. Items assessing need for access to services and resources were also included. One third of the sample reported a moderate to high need for help for multiple items in the sexuality, psychological and health system and information domains. Younger men reported greater need in the sexuality domain; living in major urban centres was predictive of greater psychological need; being closer to the time of diagnosis was related to greater need for help in the physical and daily living domain; having prostate cancer that is not in remission, having received radiation therapy, and lower levels of education were predictive of greater need for help in patient care and support. Of the total sample, 55% of men had used alternative cancer treatments in the past 12 months, with younger and more educated men more likely to use alternative therapies. Interventions in sexuality, psychological concerns and informational support are priorities for men with prostate cancer.

Women's experiences following treatment for gynecologic cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe women's experiences after treatment for gynecologic cancer in relation to psychosocial and physical difficulties and perceptions of the helpfulness of healthcare professionals. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective, mailed survey. SETTING: Women previously treated for gynecologic cancer at a large urban hospital in Queensland, Australia. SAMPLE: Eighty-two women of all ages completed the survey. Diagnoses included cervical (45%), uterine (30%), ovarian (20%), and vulvar (4%) cancer. METHODS: A self-report questionnaire and elicited demographic/medical data and qualitative data about women's experiences. Researchers also explored subjects' perceptions of the helpfulness of nurses, doctors, and social workers. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Psychosocial and physical difficulties; informational, emotional, and practical support; personal coping strategies. FINDINGS: Women described a range of psychosocial difficulties including depression, anxiety, and fear of dying. Physical side effects included fatigue, pain, bladder dysfunction, and vaginal problems. Women most often described emotional support from family members as assisting them to cope with difficulties. The most commonly described personal coping strategy was the use of positive thinking. Descriptions of how healthcare professionals were helpful reflected their roles within the healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS: Women's existing social supports may be most important in determining how they cope with gynecologic cancer. Patients may evaluate the assistance provided by healthcare professionals in relation to professional roles. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses are uniquely positioned to provide informational support to patients. However, patients' immediate difficulties and their perceptions of the nurse's role as helper may interfere with this process.