In developed countries, prostate cancer is the most prevalent invasive cancer among men. In Australia, 1 in 6 men are at the risk of developing prostate cancer before they turn 85. The increased prostate cancer treatment in Syndey following its survival rate has led to an increase in the number of men living with the side effects of diagnosis and therapy. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain and improve these men’s well-being while providing cancer care.
Well-documented psychosocial challenges follow prostate cancer diagnosis. Men with prostate cancer report higher psychological distress during and post prostate cancer care. While advancements in medical treatment offer effective options for prostate cancer, a holistic approach is essential to understand to keep them calm. This blog will share in-depth information on the concept of a psychosocial model of care and its importance for men going through prostate cancer.
Recognising the Effects of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is primarily caused by unregulated cell proliferation within the prostate gland. Risk factors include age, family history, and kind of lifestyle choices. A digital rectal exam, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, and occasionally a biopsy are suggested tests for diagnosis.
A prostate cancer diagnosis has adverse emotional effect in addition to medical treatments. As they struggle with the unknown situations around the disease and its possible implications on their relationships, sexuality, and masculinity, men will experience anxiety, fear, and melancholy. It affects the cancer patient and those close to them. Living with cancer has an effect on one’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. This is how cancer affects people psychologically.
Psychosocial issues could be:
- Having cancer and finding it difficult to cope
- Feeling isolated apart from friends and relatives
- A family’s dynamics and cohesiveness changing Issues with decision-making
- Anxiety over not being able to do what you enjoy
- Issues with working or returning to work
- Funds-related concerns
- Having trouble discussing your feelings
- Shifts in your physique and sexual self-perception
- Fear of the cancer reoccurring
- Fear of death
Certain people experience more intense mood swings, such as anxiety or depression.
Key Factors for Men with Prostate Cancer Looking for Psychosocial Care
For men suffering with prostate cancer, a variety of multi-modal strategies seem to be effective in improving psychosocial outcomes. These strategies include combinations of Psycho-training Treatment with cognitive-behavioural techniques.
- Decision support and health education: Education is key. Patients need transparent, accessible information about their diagnosis, scope of treatment, potential side effects, and coping strategies. This empowers them to participate actively in their future course of action.
- Support from peers: Connecting peers going through similar experiences can be precious. Peer mentoring programs inculcates a sense of community and belongingness, allowing men to sympethise with each other and offer encouragement.
- Seeking professional mental health assistance can be essential in managing emotional difficulties related to the medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Men who undergo therapy could acquire coping skills to help them deal with the emotional challenges associated with treating prostate cancer.
- Multi-modal (resistance and aerobic) Exercise ranging from moderate to intense level
- Relaxation techniques and stress reduction
- Training on communication skills
- Integrative and complementary therapies, such as yoga, acupuncture, and meditation, can support mental well-being and help manage symptoms like stress, pain, and exhaustion.
An important point to note when providing psychosocial care is that treatment should be customised to each man’s unique needs.
Implementing a Psychosocial Model of Care
1. Collaboration Among Healthcare Providers:
Interdisciplinary collaborative approach within various healthcare providers involved such as urologists, oncologists, psychologists, and support groups are the foundation of a psychosocial method of care for men with prostate cancer. Using consistent contact and collaboration, these experts guarantee that patients have comprehensive care customised to meet their specific requirements.
- Team Approach: Emphasise the importance of teamwork in providing well-rounded care for prostate cancer patients. Each healthcare team member brings unique expertise to the table, contributing to a collaborative approach that considers all aspects of the patient’s well-being.
- Case Conferences: Highlight the value of regular case conferences where healthcare providers discuss patient cases, share insights, and develop coordinated care plans. These meetings foster synergy among team members and ensure no aspect of the patient’s care is overlooked.
- Referral Networks: Discuss establishing referral networks that connect patients with appropriate resources and services, such as support groups, counselling services, and integrative therapies. Collaboration extends beyond the healthcare team to encompass community resources that enhance the patient’s overall support network.
2. Patient-Centered Approach:
A patient-centred approach is the foundation of successful psychosocial care for men. Healthcare practitioners can promote patient participation, empowerment, and better treatment outcomes by customising care plans to fit the specific requirements and preferences of their patients and their families. This tailored approach acknowledges that every patient has unique goals, values, and preferences.
- Emphasise the significance of creating tailored care plans that take the patient’s medical condition, therapeutic preferences, lifestyle, and psychosocial requirements into account. The patient and their support network provide input into the collaborative development of these plans.
- Cooperative Decision-Making: Talk about the benefits of patient-centered care for prostate cancer, where patients actively participate in treatment choices and have the authority to speak out for their own health. The cooperative technique cultivates reliance, correspondence, and mutual regard between medical professionals and patients.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Emphasise the need of cultural sensitivity while creating care plans that are tailored to the various requirements of patients from various backgrounds. It is crucial to comprehend and honour cultural beliefs, values, and customs in order to provide patient-centered treatment that respects personal choices and builds confidence.
3. Integration into Clinical Practice:
A psychosocial model of treatment needs to be smoothly incorporated into clinical practice in order to be effective. This entails developing procedures for referral to supportive services and implementing routine screening for depression, anxiety, and distress. Through the integration of psychosocial treatment into standard clinical procedures, medical practitioners may guarantee that patients receive prompt and all-encompassing assistance throughout their cancer journey.
- Routine Screening: Discuss how crucial it is to implement routine screening procedures to identify patients who might be exhibiting mental distress. Distress thermometers and other screening tools can assist medical professionals in identifying individuals who require extra care.
- Referral channels: Explain how healthcare professionals can link patients with the right psychological support services by creating clear referral routes. The patient’s requirements and preferences may dictate referrals to social workers, psychologists, counsellors, or support groups.
Benefits of a Psychosocial Model of Care
Healthcare professionals years of experience indicates that a psychosocial model of care leads to several positive outcomes:
- Better Patient Results: Including psychosocial support as a part of treatment enhances patient happiness, life quality, and positive response to therapy.
- Reduced Healthcare Utilisation: Proactively attending to emotional requirements can help in improvement of the management of symptoms and side effects of treatment, which may result in shorter hospital stays and ER visits.
- Enhanced Coping Skills: Psychosocial support equips men with tools to manage anxiety, stress, and depression, fostering resilience to navigate the challenges of prostate cancer.
Final Words
In the end, men with prostate cancer treatment in Sydney positively believe in the outcome of a psychological model of care. By prioritising psychosocial aid and collaborating it into clinical practice, healthcare professionals can provide patients and their families with collective care that fulfils their holistic requirements. Together, let’s work to advance well-being that goes beyond the material, adopting a care paradigm that nourishes the body and spirit.