Assess the Living Experiences of Men Suffering from Prostate Cancer in Selected Hospital of North India: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Back ground: Prostate Cancer and its treatment generally have a major impact on men’s life. Patients’ suffering from prostate cancer may have emotional instability and who are on treatment for prostate cancer feel inability to fulfill their respective roles in the family, feel insufficient at work and in the activities they used to enjoy. Aims and Objectives: Aim and objective of the study was to assess the living experiences of men suffering from Prostate cancer. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological research design was adopted. A total of ten men suffering from prostate cancer who met the inclusion criteria were interviewed with open ended interview guide. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Rigor was maintained using Lincoln and Guba model. A theoretical framework was developed and thematic analysis was done to synthesis the data. Interview of each men were transcribed using Giorgi’s method of analysis. Results: Men explored their experiences with prostate cancer related to physical, mental and emotional aspects, care and support from health care professionals and family and problem faced during, and after the diagnosis. A total of four themes and ten subthemes were identified from the analysis of qualitative data. The major themes emerged were Corroboration of Illness, Illness and Impact, Treatment and expectations and Quality of Life. Prostate cancer had a noticeable impact on men’s views about prostate cancer.