Let’s talk about sex – study to look at effects of prostate cancer on men’s quality of life

Researchers are calling on Irish men affected by prostate cancer to talk about how the disease has affected their sex lives as part of a global study.

Research shows one in three men diagnosed with prostate cancer has unmet sexuality and sexual health needs following treatment.

Specifically, rates of erectile dysfunction in prostate cancer survivors are 10 to 15 times higher than their age-matched peers without cancer.

Now, a new global study has been established which will research the impacts – both physical and psychological – of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment on patients’ sexual health.

Originating in Australia, the Men and Sexual Health Prostate Cancer Study has partnered with medical professionals in St James’s Hospital, Dublin. Of the 1,000 expected respondents to the study, it is hoped 300 will come from Ireland.

Mary Cremin, Care, Advice, Support and Education (CASE) Nurse in St. James’ Hospital, who is recruiting Irish prostate cancer patients to the study, said:

“When it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, very often the sexual impacts of the disease are little understood by patients. While clearly the number one concern is survival, men can begin treatment with little knowledge of many of the potential side effects, which can include a drop in libido, erectile dysfunction and difficulty ejaculating.

“For many men, prostate cancer can impact their sex lives before their treatment even begins. Being told they have the disease can be a huge psychological blow, and increase anxiety in a way that affects their ability and/or desire to have sex.

“For men to have a high quality of life after they survive prostate cancer, it’s important that as many clinicians and patients understand this issue as comprehensively as possible, so that we can find ways to improve lives after treatment. This research will go a long way to aiding this understanding, which is why it is so important.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Ireland with around 3,400 new cases of the disease identified each year. This makes up almost one third of all cancers diagnosed in men in Ireland.

Nine in ten prostate cancer patients survive their diagnosis after five years. This means that more men than ever before are living with the side effects of their treatment, which can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

Ms Cremin works in one of two specialist nurse-led side effects clinics in Galway University Hospital and St. James’ Hospital Dublin, funded by the Irish Cancer Society and Movember. The clinics were set up as a direct response to the results of a survey of prostate cancer survivors carried out in 2011 which found that a significant proportion of men said they were not prepared for, and had difficulty coping with, the severity of the physical and emotional side-effects of their treatment.

The two clinics in Dublin and Galway are staffed by specialist prostate cancer nurses and provide support and care to men following their treatment. A portion of the funds raised by Movember this year will go directly to this nurse-led CASE service.

Having begun the study in St James’s in August, the study is expected to last 12 months and can be taken online via menandprostatecancer.org.

The Men and Sexual Health Prostate Cancer Study is a joint Cancer Council Queensland and Griffith University Queensland project, led by Professor Suzanne Chambers of Griffith University, and coordinated in Ireland by Mr Rustom Manecksha, Consultant Urological Surgeon at St James’s and Tallaght Hospitals, with the assistance of Ms Cremin.

“This online study will assess concerns about sexual health and what contributes to a man’s decision to seek support for their sexual concerns,” Mr Manecksha said.

“Many men are reluctant to get help for their sexual concerns. To date, there is little research to help us understand men’s concerns about their sexual health after prostate cancer, and how they prefer to address these concerns.

“Part of the purpose of this study is to allow us to better understand the needs of men so that we can then devise various programmes and resource their rehabilitation accordingly.”

Since 2008 Irish Cancer Society and the Movember Foundation have together funded a number of vital prostate cancer research projects. All across the country we have funded doctors, nurses and scientists who are looking for new advances to overcome prostate cancer through research.

In order to continue to invest in prostate cancer research the Irish Cancer Society and the Movember Foundation need the public’s continued support. This month the Irish Cancer Society has once again partnered with Movember Foundation Ireland to raise awareness around prostate cancer and other men's health issues, as well as raise urgent funds to support life-saving cancer research and care for men and their families. Learn more and get involved at ie.movember.com.

To speak to a cancer nurse on any aspect of cancer contact the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on Freephone 1800 200 700, email cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie or drop into one of our 13 Daffodil Centres in hospitals nationwide. For information on Daffodil Centre locations and opening times email daffodilcentreinfo@irishcancer.ie.