Men with prostate cancer need more support

Men need more help to cope with the emotional impact of a diagnosis of prostate cancer, a survey has shown.

The survey, conducted online in 624 men in Europe and the US by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, found that the emotional impact of prostate cancer was not discussed with two-thirds of respondents and over half felt they did not receive adequate emotional support following their diagnosis. About one-third felt they were not sufficiently informed to participate in treatment decisions, and a similar proportion were dissatisfied or not very satisfied with the information available in the months after diagnosis.

Men lack the coping strategies used by women. They and their partners would welcome advice about sex and the support of a ‘buddy’.