Aims: The experience of a diagnosis of prostate cancer is distressing for both men with the disease and their partners. This presentation describes the prevalence of distress and marital functioning in men and their partners.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 189 (47% response) prostate cancer patients who had chosen or had undergone surgery for localised prostate cancer and their partners assessed socio-demographic variables; anxiety/depression; cancer-specific distress; marital functioning.
Results: Levels of distress were higher in partners than patients, with 31% of partners and 21% of patients in the distressed range (≥4) on the Distress Thermometer. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores indicated that a greater number of partners exhibited mild-severe levels of anxiety than patients (36% versus 23%); 6% of patients displayed mild to severe levels of depression compared to 8.5% of partners displaying mild to moderate levels. Partner and patient distress was significantly correlated. Marital functioning was high for 87% of patients and 81% of partners.
Conclusions: A significant subgroup of men and their partners experienced high levels of distress. Interventions that target both the patient and partner are warranted.