6th ESUN report: Systemic treatments for prostate cancer course in Lisbon

The 6th ESUN course – “Systemic treatments for prostate cancer – promoting wellness and improving quality of life and adherence” took place from 9-10 November, during EMUC24 in Lisbon, Portugal. Through a series of lectures, discussions, interactive group work, and a skills development workshop, top experts provided an in-depth update on oral systemic therapies, the possible side effects, as well as practical strategies for managing side effects. Tips on how to communicate and educate patients and their caregivers, as well as how to promote behavioural change were also shared.

Below is a summary of the key learnings from delegates:

• There were discussions on how to optimise communication and patient centred care through motivational interviewing. Delegates were taught how to apply motivational interviewing correctly through techniques such as summarising. A high level of motivational interviewing can help patients identify their personal goals, which can empower them and support their decision-making. It was re iterated that patients and caregivers often lack sufficient information, hence the communication skills of nurses are crucial for improving patient understanding and managing expectations. A presentation from a patient’s perspective highlighted that patients can only retain a certain amount of information at a time, emphasising the important to consistent and repetitive communication. There was also a module on how to discuss sexual health concerns with a patient, recognising that sexuality encompasses more than erectile function.

• Delegates gained an expanded understanding of systemic treatments used in metastatic prostate cancer and their side effects, particularly the signs and symptoms of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) side effects and how these can be treated/managed. This included bone health challenges tied to osteoclast and osteoblast function. Effective management strategies for physical and emotional side effects were shared, along with how to recognise unmet needs of both patients and caregivers, and tailoring care to suit their individual goals and priorities.

• A lecture on prostate cancer outcomes allowed delegates to deepen their understanding and see how tailored support by nurses can improve overall satisfaction from the patient, as well as overall survival. Nurses were able to share their experiences, and interestingly, these discussions indicated that the challenges and questions they face are similar across Europe.

Summary
The themes of this course emphasised the importance of combining clinical expertise with empathetic communication to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction in prostate cancer care. Nurses can bridge information gaps for patients in terms of addressing side effects of treatment and outcomes and be a great support to patients in their cancer care journey. Motivational interviewing and improved communication skills enhance the ability to address patient priorities and unmet needs effectively. Communication is key… “Always have an open mind to your patients. You should ask the questions”.

Dissemination of new knowledge to regional teams
The participating nurses were enthusiastic to share their new knowledge with their peers. Plans included dissemination with colleagues via in-house presentations, updating current training documents, and team meetings. Efforts will also involve arranging educational meetings and interactive discussions with colleagues to address issues like ADT side effects.

Acknowledgement
This course was made possible with unrestricted educational grants from Ipsen and Accord for which we are very grateful.