title: Impaired sexual function and prostate cancer: a mixed method investigation into the experiences of men and their partners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore issues related to sexual function and relationships, for men and their wives or partners, following diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A diagnosis of prostate cancer and subsequent treatment result in a significant number of men experiencing some impairment to their sexual function. There is scant research into the impact of changed sexual function on these men's masculinity, sexuality, intimate relationships and their needs regarding counselling and supportive care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Internet-based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups and couple interviews were used to improve validity for questionnaire items designed to provide insight into men's experiences of prostate cancer in areas such as sexual function and relationships. The questionnaire included both closed and open-ended questions and had the option for the wife or partner to complete a section.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Qualitative research revealed 17 specific categories within three key themes: sexual dysfunction, loss of libido and masculinity. The questionnaire found, unexpectedly, the majority of men said that they had sufficient emotional and psychological support. Wives/partners confirmed cancer had impacted on their partner's feelings of masculinity (71%), compared to 42% of men who felt that this was the case. Predictors of loss of libido, erectile dysfunction and 'feeling less of a man' were developed. Univariate predictors included hormone therapy, regrets about treatment choice, cancer having impacted on masculinity and distress during the last week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men are not able to clearly identify the challenges prostate cancer brings especially changes to their masculinity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings strongly suggest that for men with prostate cancer, nursing assessments of men's sexual health be augmented by information gained from their partners; further, these assessments should be augmented with a careful exploration of these men's psyche guided by the knowledge that masculinity influences perceptions of self (being a man) and help seeking.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: O'Shaughnessy
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ireland
authors.forename: Lemuel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pelentsov
authors.forename: Laws A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Adrian J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Esterman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019529:Sexuality
keywords: Facebook; Internet; counselling; couples; erectile dysfunction; loss of libido; masculinity; nurses; nursing; prostate cancer; regret; relationships; sexual function; sexuality; survey questionnaire; wives