Alyson Moadel-Robblee on Barriers to Counseling for Patients with Prostate Cancer

Alyson Moadel-Robblee, PhD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, discusses cultural barriers patients with prostate cancer might face when seeking out counseling.

Most of the patients who seek out counseling for assistance with treatment-related side effects are women in behalf of their loved one. It was surprising to Moadel-Robblee that a recent trial showed 50% of men were receptive to receiving counseling to help cope with the side effects of prostate cancer. She was further surprised because of the diverse backgrounds of the men. Typically, cultural barriers keep African-American and Latino men from seeking counseling. The fact that so many were willing to consider counseling underscores the major concerns they have about their quality of life.