Globally, prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for 6.6% of deaths. In South Africa (SA), Pca accounts for 13% of deaths in males, with over 4 000 SA men diagnosed with Pca annually. International and local research indicates that the risk for aggressive prostate cancer is higher in black men. It tends to run in families, so it is important for men to know their family cancer history, especially with prostate or breast cancer in a rst-degree relative. Prostate cancer affects male genitalia and functioning, potentially impacting how men experience their bodies and causing fear of what others may say or think about them. The cancer treatment regimen can affect bladder control and the passing of urine, and many men with prostate cancer struggle with maintaining personal hygiene. A prostate cancer diagnosis can affect the quality of couple intimacy and as such relationships can experience stress and possibly difculties in communication and loss of both emotional and physical intimacy with their partner. The Role of Oncology Social Workers Oncology social workers are licensed professionals with the South African Council for Social Service Professions. They counsel people affected by cancer, providing emotional support and helping people access practical assistance. Oncology social workers can provide individual counselling, couple/family counselling, resource navigation, support groups and locate services that help with home care or transportation and guide people through the process of applying for disability or other forms of assistance. The South African Oncology Social Work Forum encourages social workers who are interested in this eld of practice to become members in order to become part of a dedicated group of social workers who aim to improve the psycho-social care of people living with cancer. We work in a range of settings, from state-funded facilities, private oncology practices, palliative care environments and with members who are afliated with the medical social work eld. (www.saoswf.org.za) Addressing the unique needs of men with prostate cancer: the vital contribution of oncology social workers Ian Veary Bachelor of Social Work (UNISA) Ian qualied with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree in 2016 and has since gained experience in working with homeless individuals in the Cape Town CBD providing psychosocial interventions for substance abuse, mental health concerns and developing plans for people to be reintegrated into work and with families. He worked further in Oncology Social Work with Cancercare (Rondebosch Medical Centre) and is a palliative care social worker and a director of a group practice of 10 social workers. His scope of practice allows for both home visits and ofce consultations for oncology and palliative care patients experiencing difculties with diagnosis, treatment and ongoing decision making. He lives in the beautiful Mother City and makes the most of what nature has to offer.How can an oncology social worker help? Many men take the approach of toughing it out and being brave as a form of defense against the terrible news of a cancer diagnosis. The oncology social worker can provide a safe and condential environment for men to express some of the fears, worries and concerns about the illness. If needed and wanted, support groups can be identied in the person’s area to assist with being part of a male community that becomes a safe environment for formal and informal sharing and information gathering. Anxiety may form a large part of a patient’s emotional distress due to the high incidence of uncertainty. Uncertainty appears about biopsy, treatment options, possible outcomes, and physical changes that may occur during this time. Potential sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, weakness, fatigue, pain, and other side effects of the disease or treatment can have profound effects on mood (Psychooncology Chap 17). Men who are employed often struggle to balance some of the necessary medical appointments, time for treatments and consultations and tests with work and family commitments which can lead to signicant distress and a sense of not being good enough as a full member of a work team or contributing to family life. Individual counselling may well assist with alleviating some of the distress in order to adjust to the new circumstances and change in role. Couple and family counselling may also be indicated as a need by the patient at any time during their treatment journey. Some studies have shown that spouses or partners have more distress than the patient living with prostate cancer and couples counselling can go a long way to assist couples to deal with the cancer together. Education and information can go a long way to alleviate some of the anxiety for men with prostate cancer. This can include information and resources about illness, possible side effects of medication and treatment as well as what to expect when reporting for certain treatments. Oncology Social Work interventions could include an improved quality of life for men with advanced prostate cancer and reduced stress and anxiety for patients and their families. Additional benets may be enhanced coping mechanisms and resilience for the patient and family as well as improved adherence to treatment plans. References CANSA Website https://cansa.org.za/prostatecancer/ Nzombe, L., Shirinde, J. and Patrick, S. (2024) Insights into prostate cancer awareness and perceptions among men in Tshwane, (South African Medical Journal, 114(6b), p. e1307.)
