Transcript Initial thoughts - The Prostate Net

Quality of Life After
Prostate Cancer
Sylvie Aubin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Oncology
McGill University
The Cycles of Reactions after
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Cycle 1: At the time
of diagnosis
Cycle 4 (if applicable):
The medical
event/incident
Cycle 2: During the
primary treatment(s)
Cycle 3: After the
primary treatment(s)
Cycle 1: at the Time of Diagnosis
Initial thoughts...
“Prostate Cancer! What does that mean?”
“What can I do, which treatment and what about my
coverage?”
“What lies ahead for me and my significant others?”
Dominant themes/issues:
 Gathering information about prostate cancer
 Getting familiar with the terminology (ex: PSA,
Gleason score)
 Diagnostic tests, medical consults
 Considering treatment options and making a final
decision
Cycle 2: During the Primary
Treatment(s)
Initial thoughts...
“I hope my treatment will by successful”
“Should I be having these side effects and for how long?”
“What can I do about the side effects?”
Dominant themes/issues:
Dealing with side effects and effect on quality of
life
Keeping up to date about other treatment options
Making or suspending major decisions
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Changes
• Physical changes
– Energy level, stamina and ability to carry out daily activities
– Weight, hot flashes
– Urinary control
• Relationship changes
– Patient/caregiver shift in relationship with your spouse/partner
– Frequency and quality of time spent with significant others
• Sexual relationship changes
– Sexual desire, erectile and orgasm response
– Penile shape/lenght
– Frequency and quality of sexual activities
• Other changes
– Attention, concentration, memory
– Attitude, motivation, self-esteem/image
– Agitation/apathy, irritability/short fused, depression, anxiety
Cycle 3: After the Primary
Treatment(s)
Initial thoughts...
“Can I go back a normal life or to my life before prostate
cancer diagnosis?”
“How can I maintain my quality of life with these side
effects or after a prostate cancer diagnosis?”
“Am I cured, in remission and what lies ahead?”
Dominant themes/issues:
 Facing medical follow-up visits, the unknown and fear of recurrence
 Redefining your life
 Looking at quality of life and the ways to improve/maintain it
Relationship Between Quality
of Life and Prostate Cancer
Quality of life
components/strategies
Physical Health
Mental Health
Spirituality
Quality of
life status
Response to
treatment(s)
Treatment side effects
/ changes (ex:
severity / dealing with)
Relationship Status
Sexual/Intimate
Relationship Status
Work
Accomplishments/
Status
Financial Status
Following / trying
treatment
recommendations
Survival /
Longevity
Cycle 4: The Medical
Event/incident (If Applicable)
Initial thoughts...
“My PSA is rising, when can I see my doctor?”
“Which treatment(s) and what about the side effects?”
“What about future treatment options and effectiveness?”
• Dominant themes/issues:
 Revisiting the cycle of reactions following diagnosis
 Back to diagnostic tests, medical consults and to making a final
treatment decision
 Re-defining quality of life objectives
Conclusion:
Key Questions about your
Quality of Life
“What aspects of my quality of life
should I improve/maintain?
“What strategies can I use to
improve/maintain my quality of
life?”