Couples' experiences with prostate cancer: focus group research.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of couples living with prostate cancer, the impact of the illness on their quality of life, their ability to manage symptoms, and their suggestions for interventions that would help them to improve their daily experiences.

DESIGN

Descriptive, qualitative.

SETTING

Six focus groups were used to obtain the data; two were patient-only groups, two were spouse-caregiver groups, and two were dyad groups. The focus groups were conducted at two comprehensive cancer centers in the midwestern region of the United States.

SAMPLE

42 participants: 22 men with prostate cancer and 20 spouse-caregivers.

METHODS

Focus group discussions were tape-recorded, and the content was analyzed.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Quality of life, symptom experience, and areas for intervention.

FINDINGS

Four major themes emerged from the data: enduring uncertainty, living with treatment effects, coping with changes, and needing help.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants had a need for information and support. Both men and spouse-caregivers felt unprepared to manage treatment effects. Symptoms had a broad effect on couples, not just men. Positive effects of the illness, as well as negative effects, emerged from the themes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Attention needs to be given to methods of providing information and support to couples coping with prostate cancer. Both patients and partners need to be included in discussions about the effect of the illness and treatments so that both can feel more prepared to manage them.