A. Richardson

Supportive care needs of men living with prostate cancer in England: a survey

Men with prostate cancer have various treatment options depending upon their stage of disease, age and presence of comorbidity. However, these treatments typically induce side effects, which generate currently ill-defined supportive care needs. This study examined the supportive care needs of men with prostate cancer within England. A postal questionnaire survey was conducted in six acute NHS Trusts. Seven hundred and forty-one men with prostate cancer participated. They had been diagnosed 3–24 months prior to the survey and had received various treatments. Men surveyed had specific and significant unmet supportive care needs. Areas of greatest need are related to psychological distress, sexuality-related issues and management of enduring lower urinary tract symptoms. High levels of psychological distress were reported, and those reporting psychological distress reported greater unmet supportive care needs. Unmet sexuality-related need was highest in younger men following radical prostatectomy. Lower urinary tract symptoms were almost universal in the sample. Perceived quality of life varied; men unsure of their remission status reported lowest quality of life. Psychological distress impacts significantly on perceived unmet need and is currently not being assessed or managed well in men living with prostate cancer in England.

A longitudinal qualitative interview study tounderstand need for support in family members ofpeople having chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organisation reports that cancer mortality rates in developing African countries are rising because late diagnosis limits treatment options. In the UK there is evidence of inequalities in the delivery of cancer services to black and minority ethnic groups contributing to deaths from late diagnoses. UK studies of the African population are limited and focus on the African Caribbean community. Hence, UK cancer prevention strategies may not account for the African population’s cultural beliefs or attitudes towards cancer; this may affect awareness of the signs and symptoms. AIM: To identify evidence-based information about African immigrants’ views regarding cancer. METHODS: Six databases were searched: Academic Search Complete, AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Soc Index. The literature search was extended to include grey literature and a search of reference lists of relevant studies. Publications not written in English were excluded. RESULTS: Six qualitative, nine quantitative, and one mixed method study were identified; all except two were conducted in the USA. The majority indicated that African people had low levels of knowledge about cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms. Misconceptions, cultural and religious belief and fear appear to influence African people’s views towards cancer; this may affects their behaviour in terms of seeking treatment. CONCLUSION: This review demonstrates a need for UK based studies to determine the relevance of review findings towards, and fill the gaps in knowledge about, the growing UK based African population.