On What Basis do Australian Men Make Informed Decisions about Diagnostic and Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer?

Abstract

Men rely on general practitioners (GPs), other medical and nursing staff to provide them with information on prostate cancer and urinary symptoms. This paper identifies several problems encountered by Australian men in gaining information necessary for making an informed decision with respect to the detection and treatment of prostate cancer. An examination of disparities between national guidelines for screening and screening practices of GPs reveals that complex medical issues exist in relation to the supply of screening tests. Similar complexities exist for Australian men trying to make an informed decision about prostate cancer treatments. In particular, there is very little evidence to show that any treatment option or combination of treatments has better outcomes. Thus, it is unlikely that Australian men, even those who are assertive and information literate, make fully informed decisions when consenting to screening procedures and treatment for prostate cancer. Men with limited use of English and poor literacy skills, such as older migrants are further disadvantaged in terms of gaining information, and are likely to remain largely uninformed on even the basic issues relating to prostatic symptoms and prostate cancer. The task facing nurses is to research the needs of men and their communities as a basis for the development of accessible information resources. This approach will provide evidence in support of holistic nursing practice as well as increasing the likelihood that men's consent to prostate screening and treatment constitutes an informed decision.