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Symptom self‐management strategies in patients with non‐metastatic prostate cancer
Author(s) -
Hsiao ChaoPin,
Moore Ida M Ki,
Insel Kathleen C,
Merkle Carrie J
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.12178
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , prostate cancer , distress , prostatectomy , self management , feeling , physical therapy , disease , lower urinary tract symptoms , cancer , urinary incontinence , erectile dysfunction , prostate , clinical psychology , urology , psychology , nursing , social psychology , machine learning , computer science
Aims and objectives To explore the association between symptoms, symptom distress and symptom self‐management and to identify effective strategies of symptom self‐management in men with non‐metastatic prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. Background Men receiving treatments for localised prostate cancer experience symptoms of urinary incontinence, urinary obstruction/irritation, bowel difficulties and sexual dysfunction. Understanding patients' symptom experiences and identifying strategies that they use to manage these symptoms are imperative for symptom management planning. Design A descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted with a sample of 53 men, who were within three months of the initiation of their treatment. Methods The Symptom Indexes and the Strategy and Effectiveness of Symptom Self‐Management questionnaires were used to measure symptoms, symptom distress and symptom self‐management. Descriptive statistics, t ‐tests, correlations and multiple regressions were used to analyse the data. Results Symptoms were significantly correlated with symptom‐related distress ( r = 0·67, p < 0·01). Frequency of symptoms was significantly associated with symptom self‐management strategies for urinary (β = 0·50, p < 0·01), bowel (β = 0·71, p < 0·01) and sexual problems (β = 0·28, p = 0 ·05). The most effective strategies were as follows: pads and doing Kegel exercise for managing urinary problems, rest and endurance for bowel symptoms, and expressing feelings and finding alternative ways to express affection for management of sexual dysfunction. Conclusions Assessing symptom self‐management among men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer can help healthcare providers develop strategies that will enhance health‐related quality of life. Relevance to clinical practice Results provide information on effective strategies that patients with prostate cancer found to reduce their symptoms. The strategies used provide a foundation for developing and testing interventions for personalised symptom management.