Couples' experiences with prostate cancer: focus group research.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the experiences of couples living with prostate cancer, the impact of the illness on their quality of life, their ability to manage symptoms, and their suggestions for interventions that would help them to improve their daily experiences.


METHODS
Descriptive, qualitative.


METHODS
Six focus groups were used to obtain the data; two were patient-only groups, two were spouse-caregiver groups, and two were dyad groups. The focus groups were conducted at two comprehensive cancer centers in the midwestern region of the United States.


METHODS
42 participants: 22 men with prostate cancer and 20 spouse-caregivers.


METHODS
Focus group discussions were tape-recorded, and the content was analyzed.


METHODS
Quality of life, symptom experience, and areas for intervention.


RESULTS
Four major themes emerged from the data: enduring uncertainty, living with treatment effects, coping with changes, and needing help.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants had a need for information and support. Both men and spouse-caregivers felt unprepared to manage treatment effects. Symptoms had a broad effect on couples, not just men. Positive effects of the illness, as well as negative effects, emerged from the themes.


CONCLUSIONS
Attention needs to be given to methods of providing information and support to couples coping with prostate cancer. Both patients and partners need to be included in discussions about the effect of the illness and treatments so that both can feel more prepared to manage them.
Harden
Janet
J
College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. jharden@umich.edu
Schafenacker
Ann
A
Northouse
Laurel
L
Mood
Darlene
D
Smith
David
D
Pienta
Kenneth
K
Hussain
Maha
M
Baranowski
Karen
K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology