Multilevel interventions to address sexual health challenges in men with prostate cancer

Abstract

Background: Men treated for prostate cancer (PCa) experience post-treatment sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. Sexual health issues are expected following the diagnosis and treatment of PCa, which impairs the quality of life in men.

Aim: This article proposes multilevel interventions to address the men’s sexual healthcare (SHC) gaps following PCa diagnosis and treatments.

Setting: The setting of this article is the radiation oncology environment within the context of the sexual health of men with PCa.

Methods: A qualitative retrospective study design was adopted in this article as the authors revisited the previously published data. The authors methodically analysed qualitative data using deductive and inductive approaches to expand and operationalise the first author’s 2017 psychosexual counselling guidelines.

Results: Four levels of multiple-level interventions were identified and further expanded into seven nonpharmacological interventions to improve SHC in men with PCa post-radiotherapy. These levels of interventions include the patient, peer support, provider and system levels.

Conclusion: It is hoped that these interventions will contribute to the sexual well-being of men with PCa through this nonpharmacological interventional approach.

Contribution: This article provides pragmatic interventions to address the challenging and unspoken concerns of men undergoing treatment for PCa in the ROD. Methodologically, it advances deductive and inductive analyses for rich interpretative analysis.