Facing life-prolonging treatment : The perspectives of men with advanced metastatic prostate cancer - An interview study

• PURPOSE: Several life-prolonging treatment options have recently become available for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, research regarding patient experiences while undergoing these treatments is scarce. The aim was to explore the perspectives of men when facing life-prolonging treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.METHOD: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 men as they were starting, undergoing or had completed their first life-prolonging treatment. Interpretive description was used for analysis.RESULTS: The results illuminate the complexity of facing life-prolonging treatment, with interlaced dimensions beyond just the outcome, and where the men described other dimensions of their lives in relation to the treatment. The results are presented as 4 themes; Considering treatment when the remainder of life is at stake, Preparing for the life-prolonging treatment after deciding to go through with it, Considering the prospect of the life-prolonging treatment not being successful and Reflecting on death and dying in the light of a life-limiting illness.CONCLUSIONS: The quality and content of the remainder of life are central for men when facing life-prolonging treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. This is important when weighing desired treatment outcomes against side effects, and when reflecting upon whether going through with treatment would be worth it or not. The results illuminate the importance of encouraging men at this stage to express expectations, hopes and fears regarding the treatment and the future when considering life-prolonging treatments. Nurses working with these patients are important in the decision-making process and in evaluating treatments, to detect needs for interventions.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Castration-resistant

Nurse-patient relations

Nursing

Oncology nursing

Palliative care

Patient-centered care

Prostatic neoplasms

Quality of life

Therapeutics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)