Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University and are inviting participants to take part in a new study exploring the emotional and psychological impact of losing a loved one to prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, affecting 1 in 8 during their lifetime. While significant progress has been made in understanding its diagnosis and treatment, far less attention has been given to the experiences of those left behind. This study aims to address that important gap.
The research team is conducting an anonymous online survey to better understand grief, emotional wellbeing, and the broader social impacts following a prostate cancer-related death.
By taking part, the findings will help researchers understand how bereavement due to prostate cancer affects emotional wellbeing; gain insight into grief, coping, and support needs; and inform future services and improve support for bereaved families.
Participants will be asked about their experiences of grief, including aspects such as emotional wellbeing, coping strategies, anxiety, depression, and help-seeking behaviours. The study also explores how families adapt and change following such a loss.
Who can take part?
- You are aged 18 or over;
- Have experienced the death of a family member, partner, or close friend due to prostate cancer.
What does participation involve?
- Completing an anonymous online questionnaire;
- The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes;
- All questions are optional - you can skip any question and stop at any time.
Professor Mark Shevlin, from the School of Psychology at Ulster University, said:
“This is an important study that will improve our understanding of the psychological impact of losing a loved one to prostate cancer. We know that some people struggle with the emotional pain of bereavement for a long time and may experience difficulties adapting to changes in their lives. We hope people will take part in this study to deepen our understanding of reactions to loss and identify ways to improve support.”
Professor Joe O’Sullivan, Professor of Radiation Oncology at Queen’s University Belfast and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, said:
“Having worked as a prostate cancer specialist for over 25 years, I have on too many occasions seen the trauma caused to a partner and family by death from prostate cancer.
“While most prostate cancer research rightly focuses on developing new treatments, we are also very interested in understanding how this illness affects patient’s loved ones after their death. This survey will help us develop better ways to help patients, and their families going through a prostate cancer journey.”
Dr Michael Duffy, Director of the Centre for Mental Health and Trauma at Queen’s University Belfast, said:
“A proportion of bereaved relatives experience prolonged grief reactions that persist rather than diminish over time. Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is recognised as an enduring psychological condition that is associated with great distress, intense sadness, and social disconnection.
“Sudden traumatic loss, or death by protracted illness such as cancer, increases risk for PGD and post-traumatic stress (PTSD), yet many bereaved relatives, and indeed many clinicians, do not fully understand these conditions and so many do not avail of therapies that can help. This study will help us to understand these conditions more fully to develop effective therapies for PGD and related conditions.”
Take part in the survey at grief-portal.co.uk
The research team encourages anyone who meets the criteria to consider sharing their experience to help improve understanding and support for others facing similar loss.
