Medical help-seeking for sexual concerns in prostate cancer survivors
Article
Article Title | Medical help-seeking for sexual concerns in prostate cancer survivors |
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ERA Journal ID | 211349 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Hyde, Melissa K. (Author), Zajdlewicz, Leah (Author), Wootten, Addie C. (Author), Nelson, Christian J. (Author), Lowe, Anthony (Author), Dunn, Jeff (Author) and Chambers, Suzanne K. (Author) |
Journal Title | Sexual Medicine |
Journal Citation | 4 (1), pp. e7-e17 |
Number of Pages | 11 |
Year | 2016 |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 2050-1161 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2015.12.004 |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050116115000057 |
Abstract | Introduction: Although sexual dysfunction is common after prostate cancer, men's decisions to seek help for sexual concerns are not well understood. Aim: Describe predictors of actual prior help-seeking and intended future medical help-seeking for sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 510 prostate cancer survivors assessed masculine beliefs, attitudes, support/approval from partner/peer networks (subjective norm), and perceived control as predictors of medical help-seeking for sexual concerns. A theory of planned behavior (TPB) perspective was used to examine actual prior and planned future behavior and contributing factors. Statistical analyses included multiple and logistic regressions. Main Outcome Measures: Intention to see a doctor for sexual advice or help in the next 6 months was measured using the intention subscale adapted from the Attitudes to Seeking Help after Cancer Scale. Prior help-seeking was measured with a dichotomous yes/no scale created for the study. Results: Men were Mage 71.69 years (SD = 7.71); 7.54 years (SD = 4.68) post-diagnosis; received treatment(s) (58.1% radical prostatectomy; 47.1% radiation therapy; 29.4% hormonal ablation); 81.4% reported severe ED (IIED 0-6) and 18.6% moderate-mild ED (IIED 7-24). Overall, 30% had sought sexual help in the past 6 months, and 24% intended to seek help in the following 6 months. Prior help-seeking was less frequent among men with severe ED. Sexual help-seeking intentions were associated with lower education, prior sexual help-seeking, sexual importance/ priority, emotional self-reliance, positive attitude, and subjective norm (R2 = 0.56). Conclusion: The TPB has utility as a theoretical framework to understand prostate cancer survivors' sexual help-seeking decisions and may inform development of more effective interventions. Masculine beliefs were highly salient. Men who were more emotionally self-reliant and attributed greater importance to sex formed stronger help-seeking intentions. Subjective norm contributed most strongly to help-seeking intentions suggesting that health professionals/partners/peers have a key role as support mechanisms and components of psycho-sexual interventions. |
Keywords | Erectile Dysfunction; Prostate Cancer; Sexual Help-Seeking; Cancer; Public Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology; Urology and Nephrology; |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 320299. Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified |
Byline Affiliations | Griffith University |
Cancer Council Australia, Australia | |
Department of Health, Victoria | |
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, United States | |
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q42v2/medical-help-seeking-for-sexual-concerns-in-prostate-cancer-survivors
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