Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men in the UK and the second highest cause of male cancer death. Yet despite its high prevalence it is also highly survivable, with figures from Cancer Research UK showing that 84 per cent of men diagnosed with the disease survive ten years or more following treatment.
With such a high survival rate would be easy to assume that the needs of this patient group are being adequately met. But this isn’t the case, says specialist prostate cancer physiotherapist Helen Whitney.
‘Research on men’s health behaviours has shown that men are more hesitant than women about seeking support or advice about their health,’ she explains.
‘They may have cancer needs and physical symptoms but they don’t always
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She also started targeting local clinicians and health professionals by providing education sessions about the rehab needs of men prostate cancer and the services available for onward referrals.
Rehab for prostate cancer
Radiotherapy and/or hormone therapy are usually used to treat prostate cancer, says Ms Whitney. These can affect sexual and urinary function, and radiotherapy can affect bowel function.
As a result the one-to-one physiotherapy sessions aim to address lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary frequency, urgency, incontinence and other issues that commonly affect men with prostate cancer.
During the sessions Ms Whitney offers advice on subjects such as pelvic floor exercises, bladder training and core strength training post prostatectomy [surgery to remove the prostate].
She also explains that research shows that exercise can reduce the risk of prostate cancer disease progression by 57 per cent and reduce recurrence and mortality rates by 30 per cent.
Each patient’s function is assessed and MS Whitney suggests ways for them to increase their physical
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‘We are looking into the possibility of running a research trial to see if it has a clinical impact,’ she explains.
Outcomes and impact
The project has produced impressive results. In the last six months more than 140 men have attended the physiotherapy sessions and the health and wellbeing clinics have proved popular; the most recent one attracting more than 40 men and their partners.
The initiative has also helped raise the profile of physiotherapy and promoted its value for prostate cancer patients, says Ms Whitney.
Since it began she has delivered 15 education sessions to community health teams and oncologists, clinical nurse specialists and commissioners.
‘As result we have tripled the number of men being seen by the physio outpatient service,’ she says.
The latest project analysis figures reveal that six months after their initial assessment men participating in the pilot had increased their physical activity level by an average of 209 per
The program hired a new Clinical Director six months ago. Since starting in her new position, she has been supportive and active throughout programming and has already set a foundation to strengthen clinical services that is being provided to
Accessible multidisciplinary services including assessment (urodynamics investigation where appropriate), diagnosis and management for people with urinary incontinence and other bladder dysfunctions.
TREATMENT of localized prostate cancer usually includes prostatectomy and radiation therapy, occasionally augmented with hormonal therapies. However, Fu et al., (2012) have noted that recurrence of prostate cancer occurs in about 15% of patients within 5 years after prostatectomy and in about 40% patients within 10 years. Although, more than 70% of patients are expected to survive for more than 10 years after prostatectomy, radiation or hormone therapy, Cooperberg et al.,(2010) argued that localized prostate cancer patients with intermediate or high risk scores have higher mortality rate after these treatments. With chemotherapies as the existing treatment options for metastatic prostate cancers, patients are expected to have only a median survival of 12-15 months. Bono et al.,(2006). However, most of these traditional treatments are invasive and riddled with adverse side effects. Therefore, novel therapies are on high demand for the treatment of the malignant and recurrent forms of prostate cancer after these
I believe impacting the lives of other people positively in the society is a great achievement. As a physical therapist in future, I will leave an impression by helping patients to obtain maximum health care through rehabilitation. Furnished with knowledge from a program of physical therapy specialist, I will help patients to manage pain, improve their movement, limit or prevent permanent disabilities and restore functioning (Porter and Teisberg, 2006). My aim is to offer high quality care that will eventually help patients to promote their health and fitness through active
Less than a third of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive after five years
A physiotherapist is part of a project that aims to give therapy staff better family support skills.
My name is Rachel Hutton and I am a student at Tennessee State University working on a B.S. degree in Health Science with a concentration in physical science. I am conducting a research study about whether or not Physical Therapist benefits people with chronic diseases. Please read the consent form carefully before you decide to participate in this study.
My first experience observing a physical therapist, commenced in the summer of 2014. At the time, I was given the opportunity to observe a physical therapist named Jennifer Moreland. Throughout my time observing her, I began to recognize she was not just a physical therapist with her patients. Many times, she took on the role of a consoler, cheerleader, friend and supporter for her patients. Reflecting back on this, I am able to see that the primary reason she has succeeded as a physical therapist; is due to her amiable, encouraging and empathetic nature. These character traits have allowed her to do more than heal patients' musculoskeletal problems. She has also been able to heal hearts, souls and minds by cheering, supporting, listening
The main objective is to strengthen the existing Prostate Cancer Support Group to encompass a broader community involvement. This will be achieved with the participation of professional speakers and a multidisciplinary team approach currently utilised in caring and supporting people with a life limiting illness.
Prostate Cancer is a disease in which there is an uncontrolled growth of cells that lines the ducts of the prostate gland. The abnormal cells can spread throughout the prostate and nearby organs, such as the seminal vesicles. If not caught early they can spread (metastasized) to other organs of the body through the lymph or blood stream. (“...Treatment...” 13) Prostate Cancer can be like a silent killer. Some may show signs and symptoms of this disease while others may not. Some symptoms may include frequent urination, blood in the urine or semen, delayed or slowed start of urinary stream and dribbling or leakage of urine. Diagnosis testing for Prostate Cancer are digital
I believe that my personal and professional growth and behavior as a physical therapist is of utmost importance. I base this firstly on my strong connection to those in society who are disadvantaged when it comes to physical therapy, and also on the movement system, movement being “the key to optimal living and quality of life for all people that extends beyond health to every person’s ability to participate in and contribute to society” (American Physical Therapy Association, 2013). This perspective, I believe, is aligned perfectly with the vision statement for the physical therapy profession – to transform society through optimization of movement to improve the human experience (APTA, 2013). After reviewing the vision statement, I strongly believe it will act as my guide by strengthening compassion, reinforcing advocacy, improving quality of service, and strengthening cohesion.
The multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting that the author attended was regarding Laura 's case, a 62 year old lady that lives alone and had a fall followed by knee surgery on her right leg which now needed rehabilitation. Laura also has Hypertension, arthritis and was recently diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, which is managed with medication.
Today, many psychologists feel that psychological therapy can give cancer patients’ a longer life. The first to take this stance was Psychiatrist David Spiegel M.D., of Stanford University School of Medicine, in a 1989 study Spiegel gathered patients once a week to discuss there feelings about the cancer and here they received support from other cancer sufferers. “When Spiegel followed up a decade later, he discovered that patients who had participated in the sessions had survived an average of 18 months longer than those in the control group” (Clay,2000). It is felt that if you can tap into a patients mind and help them deal with the cancer by dealing in the mental aspect of it that it will be
Life can change in a split second when an unanticipated injury or disease hinders someone’s normal daily life. Modern medicine, physicians and families can only do so much but physical therapy can help recoup the life many of us take for granted. It often isn’t until we lose something that we as humans realize what we had such as the value of our body’s ability to take us through each day. A physical therapist is the person who stays with a patient for the duration of the rehabilitation process. A physical therapist leads the patient through the process of regaining physical strength and helps the patient regain control of their future. Much like many careers that involve interaction with individuals, physical therapy reaches beyond
Health and well-being is a high priority in current health and social care provision. The importance of promoting health and well-being is due to the dramatically increasing trend of morbidity and mortality from health problems, illness and chronic disease. Physiotherapists have potentially a significant role in the multidisciplinary health promotion arena. As physiotherapists can promote health in dynamic of ways and make contribution to the community. The promotion of health to enable individuals suffers from illness or has chronic conditions to improve their potential for healthy living.