title: Couples surviving prostate cancer: Long-term intimacy needs and concerns following treatment.
abstract: Couples surviving prostate cancer face long-term challenges in their relationships as they adapt to chronic illness. Ten couples surviving prostate cancer were brought together in a focus group to discuss their experiences and concerns regarding intimacy in their relationships. During three 30-minute segments, couples described their experiences (a) as couples, (b) as individual men and women in two concurrent break-out groups, and (c) regarding current intimacy and relationship needs. Questions asked of couples focused on (a) the process of being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer, (b) what the experience was like for them as a couple, (c) what was helpful, harmful, and surprising throughout the experience, (d) what they currently needed most as a couple, and (e) what advice they had for other couples. Findings suggested that men and women think and respond differently to intimacy and relationship challenges that occur as a result of prostate cancer, diagnosis, and treatment. Consequently, healthcare providers in any clinical setting who may interact with prostate cancer survivors must consider the relationship and intimacy needs that are unique to men, women, and couples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, California, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Leli W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Pedro
authors.forename: Erin O'Carroll
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Bantum
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Galbraith
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*