The Prostate Cancer Charity today released the results of its
ground-breaking survey which asked men with prostate cancer how
they feel about the care and support they receive.
We wanted to build up a picture of the care that men with
prostate cancer want and need, wherever they are in the
country. Over 600 men with prostate cancer completed the
survey, which included questions about all aspects of care from
diagnosis through to treatment and living with and after the
disease.
The results showed that overall, most men (84%) felt they had a
positive experience of prostate cancer treatment and care.
However, over a quarter of men (27%) felt that the provision of
good quality information and support was not adequate for their
needs. Furthermore, although most men (86%) reported that they had
experienced side effects as a result of treatment, almost one in
three of these men (31%) said that they received too little
aftercare to treat their side effects. Over three quarters of
men (77%) also stated that the coordination of care and good
communication between healthcare professionals was extremely
important to them. The results also show the vital role
clinical nurse specialists (CNS) play in ensuring men across the UK
receive good quality care. Three quarters of men (76%) told
us that being given the name and contact details of a CNS at an
early stage was 'very important' to them.
Sarah Cant, Head of Policy and Campaigns at The Prostate Cancer
Charity, said: "We would like to thank all the men who took
the time to take part in our survey. Their views and experiences
have been invaluable in helping us develop a picture of what care
and support men with prostate cancer want and deserve. It is very
encouraging to hear that the majority of men with prostate cancer
who completed the survey had a positive experience of treatment and
care. However, the survey results also show that more must be done
to ensure all men have the information and support they
need.
"We are extremely concerned that the existing standards for
prostate cancer care in the UK, where they exist, don't reflect
men's needs. That's why we are developing our own standards
of quality care, which have men at their heart. We will work
in partnership with men and healthcare professionals, and together
improve prostate cancer services across the
UK."