31 March 2025
New research has found specialist nursing support for Australian men on hormone therapies for prostate cancer may help to reduce higher risks of suicide and improve quality of life for men impacted by the disease.
The study, published in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing, found that a multi-session mental health support program, led by nurses who specialise only in prostate cancer, was effective in helping men living with the disease to cope with quality of life concerns caused by the side-effects of their treatment.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia CEO, Anne Savage, said the study’s findings underpinned the need for the expansion of prostate cancer specialist nursing services to more areas around Australia.
“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, accounting for 16 per cent of all cancers diagnosed and nearly one in three of all cancers diagnosed among men.
“Up to 50 per cent of all men diagnosed will undergo hormone therapy at some point during their treatment, significantly increasing their risks of depression and suicide.
“Around one in three Australian men with prostate cancer will experience anxiety and depression as a result of their diagnosis and treatment, contributing to a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide.
“With more than 26,000 men in our community newly diagnosed each year, and more than 250,000 Australian men alive today after a diagnosis, we urgently need more specialist nurses to support these men.”
Lead author on the study and Director of Nursing for PCFA, Adjunct Professor Sally Sara, said quality of life was key to survivorship.
“This is the first study of its kind to examine the effectiveness of a nurse-led program to address the mental and physical health needs of men on hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
“For high numbers of Australian men with prostate cancer, hormone therapy is a primary form of treatment to slow the spread of tumours, by blocking testosterone production.
“However, hormone therapies can have a significant impact on men’s health, resulting in loss of muscle mass and bone strength and increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“Reduction in testosterone also causes loss of sexual function and libido, genital shrinkage, weight gain, hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, growth of breast tissue, and changes to mood and cognition.”
The research demonstrated the effectiveness of a multi-session mental health support program provided by specialist nurses with specific training and experience in treating prostate cancer.
“Sessions were around 45 minutes in length, included distress screening at the start of each session and helped to educate participants about the psychological, physical, and sexual impacts of hormone therapy, providing patients with self-management strategies, exercise and dietary advice, and coping skills,” Adjunct Professor Sara said.
“Importantly, the program encompassed a focus on both mental and physical wellbeing, helping men recognise the impact of hormone therapy and guiding them through problem solving and coping strategies to deal with the impacts.
“As a result of the sessions, men reported an increase in their knowledge and understanding of hormone therapy and felt better able to identify and proactively manage the side-effects, strengthening their sense of control and reducing their distress levels.
“In the absence of any other structured programs to support men on hormone therapies, these are very significant findings that speak to the critical role specialist nurses play in supporting Australian men with prostate cancer.”
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has 115 PCFA Specialist Nurses nationwide and has called on the Australian Government to provide $7.7m in funding over the next three years for 21 new Specialist Nurses.
For more information or to find a local Support Group go to www.prostate.org.au, or call 1800 22 00 99 to speak with a PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse.
