Men who are
diagnosed with prostate cancer will find their lives turned upside down as soon
as the words leave their healthcare provider’s mouth. With a myriad of
decisions to make and unfamiliar territory to traverse, the time immediately
following diagnosis can be especially difficult. Open communication between a
man and his healthcare provider during the diagnosis phase, treatment and long
after, however, can greatly improve quality of life.
A recent study
cast light on just how important keeping an open dialogue with a healthcare
provider can be. The study focused in on more than 1,700 prostate cancer
survivors and found that those men who had strong patient-physician
communication tended to have a higher quality of life after treatment. All of
the men in the study had undergone prostatectomies, which can have lasting side
effects in some cases.
The study’s
authors found that routine follow-ups with strong communication were beneficial
for as long as three years out from the surgery. The best interactions went
beyond basic questioning to also include helping patients cope with physical,
cognitive, social and emotional issues that may arise after treatment. Men who
communicated more openly with their healthcare providers, and vice-versa, were
found to enjoy a higher quality of life than those who
did not.
An estimated 180,000 American men will be
diagnosed with prostate cancer in the coming year. About 26,000 men will die
from the disease. While some men will find radical intervention, such as
complete prostate removal, is not warranted in their cases, others will face
this form of treatment. All men are encouraged to speak with their doctors
about their prostate
cancer risks and the need for routine screening. Early detection of this
disease can also lead to lifesaving treatments. Should the disease be
diagnosed, men are encouraged to keep an open line of communication with their
healthcare providers not only during treatment but long after.
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