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Abstract
Introduction Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men and numbers are predicted to rise exponentially in the future. Despite evidence indicating that exercise reduces the risk of prostate cancer disease progression by 57%and mortality by 30%, men with Prostate cancer hesitate to participate in services.
Men appear to have poorer health habits and less interest in healthy lifestyle and often keep their problems to themselves. Therefore exploring how to effectively engage men in physical activity is important for the future of rehabilitative palliative care.
Aim
Explore palliative and Hospice services available for men with prostate cancer
Scope the unmet needs of men with prostate cancer
Method
contacting stakeholders
Hospice data and statistics
Contact cancer rehab and support services
questionnaires for professional/men/partners/carers
semi-structured interviews
observation
focus groups for men/partners/carers
Online survey
Results
The hospice sees an average mortality rate of 5.5% by prostate cancer and 6% by breast cancer.
However 7% more women with breast cancer (11.5%) access hospice services compared with men with prostate cancer (4.5%).
1% of the physiotherapy out-patient service in 2014/2015 was men with Prostate Cancer.
Men are best engaged via face to face contact.
Men report a lack of information about their condition, support services available and what to do regarding exercise.
Lack of referrals of men with prostate cancer.
Dominant themes from the focus groups highlighted mens' concerns around fear/worry/sexuality.
Conclusion The Hospice offers an extensive range of palliative rehabilitative services; however men’s health behaviours and a lack of referrals mean men with prostate cancer are suffering from inequalities
There is a need for information and advice earlier in the pathway, increased engagement of palliative rehabilitation through face to face contact and professional education for those working with men with prostate cancer is required.