MARLTON, N.J., June 14 /PRNewswire/ — While Father’s Day gifts range from the touching
to the hilarious, the best gift you might give your father or
spouse is help and support during the difficult time of a cancer
diagnosis.
Often men have tremendous difficulties deciding about their
treatment, which can add to needless distress and side effects,
says Michael Diefenbach, Ph.D.,
associate professor of Urology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in
New York and the lead investigator
of Healing Choices, a new prostate cancer study.
Compounding the problem is the added strain this places on the
wife.
“Prostate cancer is a family disease, and the spouse is usually
heavily involved in his care and has to cope with the physical and
emotional changes of their partner,” says Diefenbach.
Also, most men follow the recommendation of the first specialist
they’re seeing, even though other options might exist and that they
usually have time to make an informed decision, Diefenbach
explains.
The Cancer Information Service Research Consortium (CISRC) is
conducting a Healing Choices study that will try to determine if
receiving a multimedia presentation of medical options helps
patients make informed treatment decisions.
Patients who call toll-free, 866-258-7981, will receive
one of two information packets, depending on which part of the
study they become enrolled in. Some will receive a free, multimedia
program and printed material. Others will receive only printed
material.
Both groups will receive information that outlines various
options.
‘/>”/>
