Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Support Care Cancer. 2024 Aug 12;32(9):584. doi: 10.1007/s00520-024-08770-2.
The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of young men with a diagnosis of testicular cancer (TC) using a narrative approach, with the intention of informing models of care and support in clinical services.
TC patients were recruited to participate in one of four focus groups examining their lived experiences from diagnosis. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed and analyzed using a narrative approach.
A total of 4 focus groups were held from March to May 2019, involving 21 participants. Participants were currently on treatment (n = 2), < 2 years from treatment completion (n = 7), or > 2 years from treatment completion (n = 12). Two overarching meta-themes were identified: Negotiating Identity (comprising "recovery, repair and control"; "breaking the news"; "threats to fertility and virility"; "multiple masculinities") and Needing to Adjust (comprising "trauma and post-traumatic growth"; "facing vulnerability"; "managing to cope"; "secrecy vs. privacy"). Shared themes relating to environments for support, conversations about cancer, and time stress were also identified.
Despite the significant cure rates for testicular cancer, the psychosocial needs of patients diagnosed with TC are paramount and potentially long-lasting. Improved clinical care for these patients includes exploration of both physical and psychosocial concerns over multiple timepoints. Opportunities for peer support and mentorship may be essential to support these vulnerable patients.
本研究旨在通过叙事方法了解确诊为睾丸癌 (TC) 的年轻男性的经历，旨在为临床服务中的护理和支持模式提供信息。
招募 TC 患者参加四个焦点小组之一，从诊断角度检查他们的生活经历。对焦点小组进行录音和转录，并使用叙事方法进行分析。
2019 年 3 月至 5 月期间共举行了 4 个焦点小组，涉及 21 名参与者。参与者目前正在接受治疗（n=2）、治疗完成后<2 年（n=7）或治疗完成后>2 年（n=12）。确定了两个总体元主题：身份协商（包括“康复、修复和控制”；“打破消息”；“对生育力和男性气概的威胁”；“多种男性气质”）和需要调整（包括“创伤和创伤后成长”；“面对脆弱性”；“管理应对”；“保密与隐私”）。还确定了与支持环境、关于癌症的对话和时间压力有关的共同主题。
尽管睾丸癌的治愈率很高，但确诊为 TC 的患者的心理社会需求至关重要且可能持续时间长。改善这些患者的临床护理包括在多个时间点探索身体和心理社会问题。同伴支持和指导的机会对于支持这些脆弱的患者可能至关重要。
