Abstract
This paper reports on the findings of a study which sought to identify the determinants rural men use in deciding to attend health service providers for diagnosis of prostate cancer and the therapy regimes they choose following diagnosis. This is a significant study as little is known about how and why men decide they need to consult a health service provider for diagnosis of prostate cancer. Data collection involved focused interviews with men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer as well key informants for example Director of the Cancer Council, Clinical Nurse Consultants. This study explicates how rural men make decisions about therapy and from whom they receive the information they use to make their decisions. Findings indicate that rural men do not recognise early symptoms of prostatic cancer. They are often not informed about prostate cancer and the possible complications resulting from therapy choices. They choose therapy options on the basis of a specialist medical practitioner's preference and retrospectively are not always happy with the limitations imposed on their decision making. The study provides useful information to health care providers when planning health promotion activities targeting men's health ' in particular prostate cancer.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Good health, good country |
| Subtitle of host publication | from conception to completion. 6th National Rural Health Conference |
| Place of Publication | Canberra, Australia |
| Publisher | Netimpact publishing |
| Pages | 1-12 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 0957763018 |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |
| Event | 6th National Rural Health Conference - Canberra, Australia, Australia Duration: 04 Mar 2001 → 07 Mar 2001 |
Conference
| Conference | 6th National Rural Health Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| Period | 04/03/01 → 07/03/01 |
