Men's perceptions of prostate cancer diagnosis and care: insights from qualitative interviews in Victoria, Australia

The Victorian Prostate Cancer Registry (Australia) revealed poorer rates of survival for men diagnosed with prostate cancer in one Victorian regional area than for men in metropolitan Melbourne. We sought to explore the perceptions and experiences of prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care of men diagnosed with prostate cancer who lived in regional or metropolitan areas and of men who had not been so diagnosed. Our goal was to contribute to the evidence from which can be built continuing improvements in prostate health care.

Using the qualitative method of in-depth interviews to gain access to explanation and meaning, we interviewed 21 men: 10 recruited through the Prostate Cancer Outcome Registry-Victoria and 11 from the community. Transcripts were analysed thematically.

We identified four main themes within which men discussed prostate cancer: Case-finding, Diagnosis, Treatment and Care, and Spreading the Word. Contrasts revealed between regional and metropolitan areas related mostly to the more limited supportive care in regional areas.

It is evident from the perspectives of these men that every aspect of prostate cancer care would benefit from attention: publicising the need to check prostate health, treatment, and supporting men in the years after treatment. Continuing to work on systemic improvements is an important goal for all those committed to men's health.

BMC cancer. 2017 Oct 27*** epublish ***

Maggie Kirkman, Kate Young, Susan Evans, Jeremy Millar, Jane Fisher, Danielle Mazza, Rasa Ruseckaite

Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. ., Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia., Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia., Department of General Practice, School of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.