PROSTATE-CANCER AND SEXUAL FUNCTION

Erectile dysfunction is a condition affecting 1 in every 10 men. Altho ugh its occurrence is related to ageing, illness and its necessary the rapy can play a major role. Prostate cancer can lead to erectile dysfu nction both psychologically through depression and emotional distress, and physically through therapy for the disease. An international qual ity of life survey involving 401 patients with prostate cancer was con ducted. The objectives of the study were to investigate the patients' understanding of the treatment options they received, to explore the i mportance of the patient-doctor communication in the treatment of pros tate cancer and to see what effect treatment had on patient's sexual f unction. One of the main findings of the survey was that too little co unselling or information on treatment options and their effects on sex ual function was provided to patients. Patients themselves felt that p sychosexual counselling, in particular, would be helpful. In addition, therapy for prostate cancer appears to have a significant impact on p atients' lifestyle and also on their libido, sexual function and activ ity.