An examination of the quality of life related psychosocial needs of African American couples having undergone treatment for prostate cancer Free

B52

Background. For the first time in 70 years, there has been a decline in cancer deaths. Concurrent with this decline, the National Cancer Institute estimates there are 10.1 million cancer survivors in this country. Of this estimate, about 18% are survivors of prostate cancer. Despite these declines in cancer, minority, poor and other medically underserved communities are least likely to be represented among cancer survivors. Current literature indicates the same problems minorities and the medically underserved face gaining access to cancer prevention and screening programs at the initial diagnosis (i.e., access to healthcare, insurance coverage, lack of knowledge, awareness, mistrust, lack of cultural appropriateness, health illiterate) remain for those who survive their cancer. In the context of prostate cancer, African Americans particularly are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage and die from prostate cancer, experience poorer survival rates and a much lesser quality of life when compared to men of racial and ethnic groups. According to a recent Institute of Medicine report, few research studies have examined the psychosocial issues encountered by African American prostate cancer survivors and their spouses. Additionally, a few studies have found wives experience a greater amount of psychological distress in comparison to their husbands. Thus, it has been recommended as an important priority to increase the number of community-based survivor programs directed to racial and ethnic minorities and the poor. Purpose. To address this gap in the science, the primary goal of this study was to identify the most salient psychosocial related dimensions of quality of life as self-reported by African American prostate cancer survivors and their spouses. As a secondary goal, this study sought to ascertain and identify the preferred communication channels (including medium, tone, appeal) for African American men and their spouses to receive education related to ways of addressing psychosocial issues associated with prostate cancer survivorship. Methodology. Thirty African American heterosexual married couples were recruited to participate in a 2 hour individual, in-depth face to face interview. Participants were recruited from a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center cancer registry and a state-based non-profit organization purposed to provide education and outreach to all individuals impacted by prostate cancer. The interview guide was structured according to Betty Ferrell’s Quality of Life Conceptual Model. The qualitative methodological research design was structured according to the Triangulation of Observers model. Analysis. The interview transcripts were analyzed using a combination of hand coding and the Ethnograph 5.08 computer program. Content analysis was conducted using an immersion/crystallizing analysis plan. Conclusion. Common themes regarding couples’ psychosocial needs based on the behavioral, social, psychological, spiritual domains, within the subcategories of length of years since last treatment, socioeconomic status, education level, and length of time married will be presented. These findings will assist in the development and testing of culturally and linguistically appropriate educational resources and community programs.