According to the PRO-ACT (Patient-led Research On sexual experience After Cancer Treatment) survey, approximately 60% of prostate cancer patients report that the sexual side effects of their treatment are worse than expected, leaving two-thirds of survivors feeling underprepared or completely unprepared for the physical toll.
Survey Findings on Prostate Cancer Treatment Impacts
Around 4,000 men receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in Ireland annually, with one in seven men diagnosed during their lifetime, according to data highlighted by the Irish Examiner. To evaluate the broader quality of life issues, the PRO-ACT survey gathered responses from 1,150 participants, including patients and their partners, focusing on intimacy, mental health, and overall survivorship.
The data reveals that 60% of respondents found the impact on their sexual function to be worse or much worse than anticipated. Furthermore, two-thirds of the men stated they were underprepared or completely unprepared for these outcomes. To address this knowledge gap, 80% of participants reported that having a longer or clearer discussion with their physicians beforehand would have helped them prepare for the negative impacts.
Gaps in Patient Communication and Clinical Care
The survey exposed notable shortcomings in clinical communication regarding sexual health. Only 65% of respondents attended an appointment where sexual function was discussed by a clinician, and 78% noted that their own sexual well-being did not form part of the conversation at all.
Martin Sweeney, co-chief investigator of the survey and a member of Cancer Trials Ireland’s patient consultants committee, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015, highlighted a significant gap in the patient pathway. According to Sweeney, this shortfall leaves many patients and their partners to suffer in silence because vital services are missing from routine care. He noted that while existing medical teams try their best, they typically aren’t qualified in these specific areas.
Calls for Comprehensive Survivorship Services
In response to the findings, patient advocates and researchers are urging healthcare providers to revamp support systems as survival rates continue to improve. Sweeney called for specialized services that wrap around all aspects of care, increased peer support, and the active involvement of partners throughout the treatment journey.
Dr. Claire Kilty, head of research at the Irish Cancer Society—which funded the survey—echoed these calls for systemic change. Dr. Kilty emphasized that more robust services are urgently required to support prostate cancer survivors long-term. The survey was conducted under the guidance of Cancer Trials Ireland, with radiation oncologist Professor Paul Kelly serving as co-chief investigator alongside Sweeney.