Needs of Patients with Prostate Cancer at Oncology Center

Abstract

Needs of Patients with Prostate Cancer at Oncology Center Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Prostate cancer is a tumor that forms in tissues of the prostate gland in the male reproductive system. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes.The failure of providing appropriate care for prostate cancer patients, it can compromise the effectiveness of nursing care and thereby adversely affect the health of the patients, so the staff should meet these needs to improve prostate cancer patients`life. The aim of this study was to assess the biopsychosocial needs of patients with prostate cancer. Design: A descriptive exploratory study was used to meet the aim of the study. Setting: the study was conducted at the clinic of the Oncology Center affiliated to Ain Shams University. Study subjects: A purposive sample of adult patients with prostate cancer (N=80). Data collection tools: Demographic data questionnaire, Clinical data assessment, biopsychosocial needs assessment questionnaire and informational needs assessment tool. Results: (90%) of the study group were at age of sixty and more, (77.5%) had lack loss of sexual desire, (90%) suffered from pain in different body parts as back, (92.5%) didn`t do their activities, (93.75%) need emotional support, (83.75%) feel that they cause a physical burden for families due to medical expenses and (80%) had lack of information regarding self care of prostate cancer at home.Conclusion: Regarding physical problems, the majority of the studied patients had sexuality dysfunction as inability to maintain erection & loss of sexual desire. Regarding to psychological problems, the majority suffered from depression and feeling the loss of a man`s role “ Manlessness”. While regarding social needs, the majority of the studied patients suffered from being a cause of physical burden for their family. Furthermore, in relation to the informational needs, more than one half of the studied patients had lack information regarding the disease, treatments and self care at home. Recommendation: The study recommends the importance of man early screening for prostate cancer at the age of fifty. The importance of supportive care services and psycho oncology clinics to meet prostate cancer patients needs and consequently improve the quality of life for those patients. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Keywords: Prostate Cancer, Biopsychosocial needs.