The Symptom Recognition and Help-seeking Experiences of Men in Australia With Testicular Cancer - A Qualitative Study

Testicular cancer affects approximately 550 men in Australia each year. Early intervention, with the potential to reduce the burden of this serious disease, requires a strong understanding of the factors that influence help-seeking. In the current qualitative retrospective study, the symptom-recogni...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative research journal 2009-01, Vol.9 (1), p.43-59
Main Authors: Carbone, Stephen, Arthur Walker, Gordon, Burney, Susan, Newton, Fiona
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Cancer
Cancer patients
Care and treatment
Diagnosis
Health and hygiene
Help-seeking behavior
Masculinity
Men
Methodology
Qualitative research
Testicular cancer
Testis
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Summary:Testicular cancer affects approximately 550 men in Australia each year. Early intervention, with the potential to reduce the burden of this serious disease, requires a strong understanding of the factors that influence help-seeking. In the current qualitative retrospective study, the symptom-recognition and help-seeking experiences of 11 men aged between 28-44 years who had undergone treatment for testicular cancer were examined. Analysis of the semistructured telephone interview data indicated that most men sought help early, and were treated promptly. A few men, however, described prolonged help-seeking delays. The factors implicated in help-seeking delays included lack of knowledge about testicular cancer; initial misattribution of symptoms; slowly progressing or low-severity symptoms; a busy lifestyle; embarrassment about having a genital examination; and a fear of orchidectomy and its potential threat to masculinity. Further research using quantitative methodology is required to determine the relative importance of these various factors on help-seeking delays.
ISSN:1443-9883
1448-0980
1448-0980
DOI:10.3316/QRJ0901043