Exploring The Well-being of Unmarried Men With Prostrate Cancer in The Accra Metropolis

ABSTRACT

Prostate Cancer (PCa) is a serious public health problem, with high rates of incidence and mortality in the male population across the world. Globally, the burden on the cost of survival and living with cancer diseases is on a higher rate in recent times, with PCa being the commonest cancer among men. In the Ghanaian context, there are limited studies on unmarried men with PCA, hence, this study sought to explore the wellbeing of unmarried men with PCa in the Accra Metropolis using the Quality of Life Model applied to cancer survivors (QOL-ATCS) as a guiding framework. With an exploratory descriptive study design, a purposive sampling technique was used to recruit ten (10) unmarried men as participants. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data collection and analysis were done concurrently using thematic content analysis technique. Five (5) major themes were identified; physical, psychological, social, and spiritual wellbeing, and coping strategies. The findings revealed that participants experienced physical effects such as fatigue, poor rest and sleep, pain, erectile dysfunction, reduced urge for sex, and having to deal with a urethral catheter in situ. These physical experiences had a worrying effect on the psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing which includes anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, isolation and financial burden. Participants, therefore, employed varied coping strategies to help them deal with these effects. The psycho-social and religious effect of PCa largely depends on physical symptoms, which are more visible with unmarried men. Therefore, counselling and psychological management of unmarried men with PCa should be a priority in all oncology (urology) units.