Mader Emily M, Li Hsin H, Lyons Kathleen D, Morley Christopher P, Formica Margaret K, Perrapato Scott D, Irwin Brian H, Seigne John D, Hyams Elias S, Mosher Terry, Hegel Mark T, Stewart Telisa M
Department of Family Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 475 Irving Ave., Suite 200, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Ave., Rm. 2262, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
BMC Urol. 2017 May 8;17(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s12894-017-0225-3.
Active surveillance is a management strategy for men diagnosed with early-stage, low-risk prostate cancer in which their cancer is monitored and treatment is delayed. This study investigated the primary coping mechanisms for men following the active surveillance treatment plan, with a specific focus on how these men interact with their social network as they negotiate the stress and uncertainty of their diagnosis and treatment approach.
Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews at two academic institutions located in the northeastern US. Participants include 15 men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer following active surveillance.
The decision to follow active surveillance reflects the desire to avoid potentially life-altering side effects associated with active treatment options. Men on active surveillance cope with their prostate cancer diagnosis by both maintaining a sense of control over their daily lives, as well as relying on the support provided them by their social networks and the medical community. Social networks support men on active surveillance by encouraging lifestyle changes and serving as a resource to discuss and ease cancer-related stress.
Support systems for men with low-risk prostate cancer do not always interface directly with the medical community. Spousal and social support play important roles in helping men understand and accept their prostate cancer diagnosis and chosen care plan. It may be beneficial to highlight the role of social support in interventions targeting the psychosocial health of men on active surveillance.
主动监测是针对被诊断为早期、低风险前列腺癌男性的一种管理策略，即对他们的癌症进行监测并推迟治疗。本研究调查了男性在遵循主动监测治疗方案后的主要应对机制，特别关注这些男性在应对诊断和治疗方法带来的压力和不确定性时如何与他们的社交网络互动。
对位于美国东北部的两个学术机构进行的半结构化访谈进行主题分析。参与者包括15名在接受主动监测后被诊断为低风险前列腺癌的男性。
决定采用主动监测反映了避免与积极治疗方案相关的潜在改变生活的副作用的愿望。接受主动监测的男性通过保持对日常生活的控制感以及依靠社交网络和医疗社区提供的支持来应对前列腺癌诊断。社交网络通过鼓励生活方式改变并作为讨论和缓解癌症相关压力的资源来支持接受主动监测的男性。
低风险前列腺癌男性的支持系统并不总是直接与医疗社区对接。配偶和社会支持在帮助男性理解和接受前列腺癌诊断及所选护理方案方面发挥着重要作用。在针对接受主动监测男性的心理社会健康的干预措施中突出社会支持的作用可能是有益的。
