According to a recent survey conducted by the Prostate Cancer Charity organisation, men with prostate cancer are not receiving the same level of care as for other cancers and as the level of care for women although it is not fully understood why.
One of the possible reasons is thought to be a lack of clear guidelines by NICE although the process of establishing these is underway. Other variables affecting level of care, concern the attitudes of health practitioners, men’s expectations and societal perceptions and valuing of the older male population.
Some men are receiving the kind of care they value but there is also room for standards to improve. A large number of men with prostate cancer, about 25% of the study, felt that they weren’t provided with enough information and have needs that are unacknowledged which creates a certain amount of uncertainty and leaves them feeling rather dissatisfied and uninformed as to the best course of treatment. It seems mostly what was wanted was for someone to take the time to listen and show that they care.
Recommended steps to address these issues included providing good quality information at the appropriate time, improving the communication skills of health practitioners, spending more time on listening with empathy and improving team work skills amongst the various professionals concerned.
It was argued that improving men’s expectations and the ability to be assertive about what they want as regards the kind of treatment and kind of care they can expect as an older man is a move in the right direction
Reasons Cancer Patients Don’t Talk About Pain
It may sound counterintuitive, but cancer patients sometimes don’t tell doctors about their pain. Eugenie Obbens, MD, acting chief of the Pain and Palliative Care Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, says
Stupidity about health targets and cancer
Not testing for prostate cancer because you have no trouble urinating and no other reason to suspect trouble is one thing, but superbugs and bad hospital standards are no reason to bury your head in the sand. Once you have a diagnosis, you can make your choice, of course. … Fear of poor NHS care really is no reason to let cancer take its course, because it only ever takes one course: it spreads throughout your body, leaving you in immense pain, and then kills
Are You Afraid to Go to the Doctor Because You’re Fat?
This isn’t just a matter of political correctness: Stereotypes and discrimination stand in the way of getting the medical care you need. Providers who aren’t sensitive aren’t putting your needs first.
“Screening all older men for prostate cancer ‘could reduce deaths by a fifth’,” said the Mail. “Prostate cancer hope” said the Mirror. “Calls for new policies on NHS cancer tests” said the Independent. “Prostate cancer screening could cut ….
Some cancer care centers, popular searches on google
seattle cancer care alliance
cancer care ontario
cancer care centers of south texas
