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Abstract

Most of what is known about psychosocial adjustment to cancer comes from
studies of women with early stage cancer, mainly breast cancer. The findings suggest
that for women in an intimate relationship, support from their partner is an important
predictor of their adjustment. Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) of couple-based
interventions show they are efficacious for improving couples' adjustment to breast
and gynaecological cancers, particularly for reduction of sexual problems.
The most common cancer in men worldwide is prostate cancer. It is unclear
whether results from intervention research targeting female cancers generalises to
men with prostate cancers, and their partners, or to people with advanced stage
disease. There has been no published RCT of a couple-based intervention for men
with cancer, few interventions involving patients with advanced disease, and none
specifically designed for men with advanced stage prostate cancer.
While men and women find the same types of partner support behaviours
helpful generally, they do show disparity in their coping and preferences for support
in some situations, particularly health related challenges. It is also difficult to engage
men in coping interventions, perhaps because the programs do not address their
needs. Further, while people facing advanced or terminal cancer may derive benefit
from some aspects of interventions for early stage disease, they are also likely to
have additional needs, such as managing unfinished business, changes in roles, and
increases in carer burden that these programs do not address.
This literature review describes the nature of advanced stage prostate cancer
and the psychosocial challenges that diagnosis and treatments pose for men and their
partners. The efficacy of interventions involving men with advanced stage disease is
reviewed, and the implications of these findings for assessment and intervention of
couples coping with advanced stage prostate cancer is discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis - Coursework Master
Authors/Creators:	Murray, Kate-Ellen Jean
Keywords:	Prostate, Cancer in men, Cancer
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2008 the author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (MPsych(Clin))--University of Tasmania, 2009. Includes bibliographical references
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