Table 1 Themes of the modules within the My Road Ahead intervention
Module | Themes |
|---|---|
1. Prostate cancer and you | • Psycho-education about common emotional responses to prostate cancer |
• Normalisation through other men’s stories | |
• Interactive reflective exercises aimed at encouraging self-reflection and acknowledgement of emotional responses | |
2. Effective communication | • Common communication challenges in context of prostate cancer |
• Strategies to improve general and relationship communication | |
• Communication enhancement exercises to complete with partner or alone | |
3. Physical changes | • Common physical changes following treatment for localised prostate cancer |
• Exercises to overcome anxiety and avoidance in relation to incontinence | |
• Introduction to relaxation strategies | |
4. Sexuality and masculinity | • Education and exercises targeting negative cognitions surrounding cancer and erectile dysfunction (ED) |
• Skills training in general and sexual communication | |
• Education and exercises addressing masculinity and identity issues | |
5. Sexuality and intimacy | • Sexual problems and cancer |
• The impact of ED and cancer on the relationship | |
• Education and exercises designed to broaden definitions of sexuality and sexual behaviour to enhance sexual intimacy | |
• Education about the use of medical aids for ED | |
6. Planning for the future | • Education and exercises related to fear and uncertainty about the future |
• Planning for the future | |
• Encouragement of continued use of the skills developed from the intervention |