People affected by prostate cancer and their partners left ‘suffering in silence’, new study finds

Results of pioneering study which surveyed prostate cancer patients and their partners reveal a greater need for support and awareness around sexual function

13th August 2026: An Irish Cancer Society-funded research study has revealed that many prostate cancer patients and their partners were unprepared for the impact of treatment on their sexual function.

The ground-breaking PRO-ACT (Patient-led Research On sexual experience After Cancer Treatment) Survey aims to understand how prostate cancer treatment affects intimacy, mental health, and quality of life for both patients and their partners.

Around 4,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the Republic of Ireland each year, and about 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

The PRO-ACT study, which is now complete*, found that 40% of prostate cancer patients felt they were under-prepared for the impact of treatment on their sexual function, while 66% said they were either underprepared or completely unprepared.

A longer or clearer discussion with their medical team or doctor would’ve helped them to be more prepared for the impact of treatment on their sexual function, according to 80% of prostate cancer patients who filled in the survey. 

60% said the impact of treatment on their sexual function was either worse or much worse than they expected.

The survey for partners of prostate cancer patients found that only 65% said they were present at the appointment where their partner’s sexual function was discussed. 78% said their own sexual wellbeing wasn’t mentioned or discussed with them at all.

The survey was led by co-chief investigators Martin Sweeney, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015 and is a member of Cancer Trials Ireland’s patient consultants committee, and Professor Paul Kelly, a radiation oncologist, under the guidance of Cancer Trials Ireland.

PRO-ACT Co-Chief Investigator and prostate cancer patient Martin Sweeney said: “The results of PRO-ACT show there is a deficit of information at the critical stages of diagnosis and post-treatment for prostate cancer patients and their partners.

“There are services that are not provided at all, like physical therapy, sexual therapy, and mental health. Existing medical teams try their best but typically aren’t qualified in these areas, and it’s unrealistic to expect clinicians to be able to address all of these needs. 

“PRO-ACT shows that there is a significant gap in the patient pathway, leaving many patients and their partners to suffer in silence. We need wraparound services to support people affected by prostate cancer.

“We know that people are now living longer after a prostate cancer diagnosis, and survival rates are improving. In my own family history, I’ve seen how survival rates have changed. My grandfather died as a result of prostate cancer, and my father had prostate cancer 40 years ago. 

“The survival side of low-grade, localised prostate cancer is thankfully well managed, so now we need to look at quality-of-life for people living well after prostate cancer. The results of PRO-ACT decisively show the unmet needs of prostate cancer survivors and their partners, and the pressing need for them to be addressed. 

"A change of mindset is needed in prostate cancer care, and there is a need for a greater focus on peer and specialist support. It is essential that the patient's intimate partner is a part of all of this.

"We need to ensure that patients and their partners can live their life to fullest after a prostate cancer diagnosis.”

Dr Claire Kilty, Head of Research at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “We at the Irish Cancer Society are proud to fund pioneering patient-led research like PRO-ACT, and we’re grateful to everyone who took part and shared their experiences so openly.

“The results of the PRO-ACT study provide greater insight into the lived experience of people with prostate cancer and their partners. 

“The patient voice is at the centre of the results, and the input from people affected by prostate cancer and their partners has brought into focus the need for more robust services to help people to live well after a prostate cancer diagnosis.”

ENDS

For media requests, please contact the Irish Cancer Society’s communications team at communications@irishcancer.ie or call 087 645 3867.

Note to editor:

• *The PRO-ACT surveys closed in April 2025. 

• PRO-ACT consisted of separate patient and partner surveys.

• 1,150 completed the surveys which contained 170 questions based on lived experience.

• Anyone with concerns or questions about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or supportline@irishcancer.ie
• The Irish Cancer Society is the largest voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland.

• The Irish Cancer Society has been supporting Cancer Trials Ireland since the late 1990s, and have consistently increased our funding, becoming the largest single funder of Cancer Trials Ireland in 2023. 

• In order to improve patient access to trials, the Irish Cancer Society committed to increasing their funding of Cancer Trials Ireland, investing around €1 million per year since 2021.

 About the Irish Cancer Society:

The Irish Cancer Society is the largest voluntary sector funder of life-saving cancer research in Ireland; delivers a range of free services to support patients and their families during and beyond cancer; advocates for and raises awareness of cancer issues at government level; and provides up-to-date resources and accessible cancer information to raise public awareness of cancer at cancer.ie