05.05.17

Bente Thoft-Jensen (left) and Lawrence Drudge-Coates, clinical nurse specialists at Aarhus University Hospital and Kings College in London, have been working together on an education programme for prostate cancer patients (photo: Michael Harder, Aarhus University Hospital).

Aarhus University Hospital has a strong position in urology nursing and each year the hospital hosts a research meeting for European urology nurses.

At 4 May urology nurses from Europe gather for a research conference at Aarhus University Hospital. The programme includes a number of patient-focused subjects in urology nursing such as late complications after cancer treatment and patient education in self catheterisation.

Side effects of hormonal treatment
One of the key speakers, Lawrence Drudge-Coates, clinical specialist from King's College in London, presented a programme for patient education in prostate cancer which he has made in collaboration with Bente Thoft Jensen, clinical specialist at Aarhus University Hospital.

Prostate cancer is the most frequent type of male cancer in Europe. When the disease progresses, the men are often offered antiandrogen treatment, which can initiate a number of metabolic late complications, pain and sexual dysfunction causing a marked reduction in the quality of life for the individual patient.

European studies have shown that systematic education of patients and relatives combined with follow-up by a nursing specialist can contribute considerably to alleviate the side effects. This is done by making a programme where the men focus on weight loss, a healthy diet and exercise.