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Prostate Cancer Physiotherapy

Good Essays

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 …show more content…

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 …show more content…

‘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

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