Exploring men's experiences of penile cancer surgery to improve rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND
Penile cancer is an uncommon but serious cancer; in the UK 50% of patients undergo partial or complete penectomy resulting in far-reaching consequences.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of penectomy for men and make recommendations for rehabilitation and patient/carer support services.


METHODS
A small-scale qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was carried out. A purposive sample of men with penile cancer (n = 9) at least 18 months post surgery were recruited. A male researcher interviewed them.


RESULTS
Key themes were: the cancer journey; support and relationships; life stage and life review; and masculinity and self-image.


CONCLUSIONS
It is not unexpected to find that men should have changed life experiences following penile cancer surgery. However, the far-reaching and insidious nature of post-treatment changes reported here have implications for clinical practice and show that there is a need for further research in this area.
Psychology Department, Aberystwyth University.
Kathryn
K
Bullen
Sarah
S
Matthews
Stephen
S
Edwards
Victoria
V
Marke
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology