Many men diagnosed with prostate cancer experience poor mental health. We must support them higher.

More than yearly 24,000 Australian men Prostate cancer is diagnosed, making it probably the most regularly diagnosed cancer in Australian men.

Despite the high survival rate – About 96 percent Men diagnosed with prostate cancer will live no less than five years longer – Prostate cancer can significantly affect men's mental well-being. It may be applied in any respect stages of the disease, including diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

anxiety rate, Depression And suicide There are more in men with prostate cancer in comparison with the overall population.

In our A recent studywe wanted to know the size and timing of mental health problems in men with prostate cancer. Our findings suggest that we'd like to supply them with more support as soon as possible.

What we found

We checked out 13,693 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in South Australia between 2012 and 2020. We analyzed prostate cancer registry data with data from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

Using this data, we analyzed the prevalence of drug prescriptions (resembling antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs) and use of mental health services (resembling GP mental health visits and psychiatrist visits) within the five years before and five years after a prostate cancer diagnosis. seizures) detected.

We found that the proportion of men using antidepressants or antianxiety medications increased from 34.5% five years before diagnosis to 40.3% five years later. Some 10.2% used mental health services five years ago, compared with 12.1% five years later. GP mental health visits were probably the most common, increasing from 7.8% to 10.6%.

The most important increase in use of medication and health services for mental illness occurred on the time of prostate cancer diagnosis. About 15% of men began taking antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications at diagnosis, while 6.4% sought help from mental health services for the primary time.

In particular, the true impact of prostate cancer diagnosis on men's mental health is prone to be underestimated in our study. We looked only at mental health services subsidized by Medicare, but some men may access mental health services in person or through community services. And after all, some men with mental health problems may not seek help in any respect.

Men could also be less prone to seek help.

Our research suggests that men usually tend to seek medication than to hunt help from mental health services. This may reflect a preference for medication, but may additionally be because of limited availability of services, or stigma around in search of help.

Research shows that there are lots of cancer patients. Reluctant to seek help? For mental health concerns.

Evidence for general help-seeking behaviors suggests that men could also be equal. Less likely To get support than women. Whether it's the stigma surrounding mental health, or just the fear of being seen as weak A quarter of men Say they are going to seek help from a mental health skilled in the event that they are experiencing personal or emotional problems.

Early intervention is vital.

Looking at trends in medication and mental health service use, we observed in our study, men look like more prone to have psychological problems on the time of their prostate cancer diagnosis. This vulnerability can arise from the stress of a cancer diagnosis, treatment decisions, and worries in regards to the future.

Thus, it will be vital to incorporate mental health screening within the routine prostate cancer screening process. Early identification of Mental health issues It is significant to pave the best way for timely interventions and support, which might significantly improve mental well-being.

Rather than waiting for men to hunt mental health support after a diagnosis of prostate cancer, we should always offer such screening aids during diagnosis and treatment.

What do we'd like to do?

Psychological problems are some of the regularly reported unmet needs amongst men with prostate cancer.

Improving access to mental health care may include increasing Annual Session Offering more access to Medicare-subsidized mental health services and GP mental health plans for men with prostate cancer.

Measures resembling consultancy services offered by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia And Cancer CouncilAlso, the appointment of prostate cancer nurses may be prolonged.

It would even be useful to increase it. Telehealth services. They provide a very important option where cost or distance may make accessing mental health services difficult for some prostate cancer patients.

Finally, we must normalize conversations about mental health to make sure that men with prostate cancer have every opportunity to voice their struggles and get the support they need.

This is especially vital given the wide-ranging impact of mental health problems on an individual's quality of life. Health outcomesand the general burden on the health system.