title: The struggle towards 'the New Normal': a qualitative insight into psychosexual adjustment to prostate cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the growing body of literature which highlights the potential for significant and enduring side-effects of prostate cancer treatment, there is limited research exploring the experience of living with the treatment-induced side-effects such as sexual dysfunction, and their repercussions for men and their partners. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore factors influencing psychosexual adjustment, self-perception, and unmet information and support needs of prostate cancer patients and their partners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one men, recruited via a prostate cancer support group newsletter, participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews, which were subjected to thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The qualitative analysis revealed three inter-connected main themes which contributed to men's psychosexual adjustment: i) Psychosexual impact, ii) Communication and support, and iii) Integration process. Men reported distressing sexual and urinary difficulties, tainted self-perception and altered intimate relationships. Receiving adequate information and support, and having good communication with their doctors and partners facilitated better adjustment to prostate cancer treatment. Coming to terms with the significant impact of treatment had involved making lifestyle changes, coping with emotional struggles and striving to accept and integrate their post-treatment "new normal" self and sexual life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of adequate communication with health professionals and partners, especially regarding treatment effects on sexual function and rehabilitation options, was highlighted as a key factor facilitating the adjustment process. Prostate cancer patients would benefit from improved access to timely and tailored information and decision-making resources, ongoing multidisciplinary care, and support groups, as well as appropriate referrals for sexual and psychological counselling.
authors: Narelle
authors: N
authors: Hanly
authors: Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Level 6, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse (C39Z), Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. shab.mireskandari@sydney.edu.au.
authors: Shab
authors: S
authors: Mireskandari
authors: Ilona
authors: I
authors: Juraskova
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000523:psychology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000523:psychology