12th November 2008

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Researchers at the University of Ulster will offer more support to men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cause of cancer death among men in the United Kingdom. One in six of all men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetimes. 

Previous research has shown that not enough is being done to help men deal with what they describe as the ‘psycho-social’ effects of having prostate cancer – fear, anxiety and distress - which can lead to depression and feelings of hopelessness.

Funded by a grant of over £200,000 from the Ulster Cancer Foundation, the research team at Ulster will develop and test a psycho-social intervention for men with prostate cancer. 

Research leader, Dr Eilís McCaughan, said: “Findings from our current research show that post-radiotherapy, men experience difficulty adjusting to their condition.  Their quality of life, when compared with pre-radiotherapy is significantly lower. They are struggling to cope with various side effects such as impotence, urinary problems and tiredness. The main support they received is from their partners. Men find that post treatment they feel left on their own with limited access to health services.” 

Dr McCaughan added:“There appears to be little evidence about psycho-social interventions to help men cope with, or make reasonable adjustments to, the distress which they commonly experience. As survival rates improve, there is a growing challenge to devise and test interventions which can help people cope with the aftermath of the disease, its treatment and the psycho-social impact on their lives.

“This research will develop and test a programme of support which will aim to give men and their partners the information they require and the skills they need to keep control over their lives and to deal with some of the problems they will face following a diagnosis of prostate cancer.” 

This project is the second of a programme of work focusing on the health of men with cancer.  Previous research carried out by the team explored the experience and quality of life of men with prostate cancer and how they cope with the disease and radiotherapy.

The team of researchers led by Dr Eilís McCaughan includes Professor Kader Parahoo, Ulster’s Institute of Nursing, Dr J O Sullivan, Belfast City Hospital, Professor Liam Murray, Dr Michael Donnolly, Dr Moyra Mills, QUB and Liz Atkinson, Ulster Cancer Foundation. 

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter