Authors (including presenting author) :
SL NG(1), MK YIU(2), V CHAN(3) , WK MA(4) & JHL TSU(5)
Affiliation :
(1) Nurse Consultant, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong West Cluster. (2) Urologists, Private Practice, Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital, Hong Kong. (3) Medical Social Worker, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. (4) Consultant & Division Chief, Division of Urology, Princess of Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong. (5) Consultant & Division Chief, Division of Urology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong West Cluster.
Introduction :
Prostate cancer recorded the largest increase in incidence rate among the common male cancers in Hong Kong during the past two decades. In 2016, prostate cancer was the third most common cancer in men and accounted for 11.9% of all new cancer cases in males. In 2016, 1912 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed. Majority of men preferred radical prostatectomy instead of radiotherapy in Hong Kong. As we know, radical prostatectomy is a devastating operation affecting patients’ psychological, physically and spiritually.
Objectives :
By establishment of prostate cancer survivors support group in Hong Kong West Cluster (HKWC), we can link all survivors and their significant others together and build up a strong support group to the newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients in hospital in order to alleviate their anxiety and depression.
Methodology :
The prostate cancer survivors support group named ‘健康前腺’was successfully established in HKWC in March 2014. Through the multidisciplinary co-operation, a series of meaningful volunteers program including hospital visits, health talk and peers group sharing are regularly organized in HWKC. In addition, outdoor activities such as social gathering 'Yum cha', home visit and exercise class to strengthen their cores muscle. All newly diagnosed prostate cancer with their significant others or caregivers are invited to join. The health talk delivered by healthcare professionals every quarter in 2019 have increased the public awareness on the increasing trend of prostate cancer in Hong Kong. Furthermore, 2 pairs of prostate cancer survivors and their spouse were invited twice a year to share their new life after surgery in order to disseminate a positive approach towards prostate cancer and importance of men health.
Result & Outcome :
There were more than 200 prostate cancer survivors and their significant others joining our meaning events since 2017. Our urologists, nurses, social workers and physiotherapist have continuously provide greatest support to the Prostate Cancer Survivors Group (健康前腺) once it established. All patients and their family were expressed their happiness and appreciation after each event. And, there were numbers of enquiry on the Men Health via the hotlines of patients support group. The establishment of prostate cancer survivors support group in Hong Kong is crucial not only to support our patients and their family, but also can increase awareness of Men Health in community.
