Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of implementing an integrated multicomponent survivorship care model for men affected by prostate cancer.MethodsUsing a single arm prospective cohort study design, men with prostate cancer were recruited from two regional public hospitals in Australia for a 6‐months program that provided information and decision support, exercise and nutrition management, specialised clinical support, and practical support through localised and central care coordination. Carers of the men were also invited to the program. Data were collected from multiple sources to evaluate: (1) recruitment capability and participant characteristics; (2) appropriateness and feasibility of delivering the specific intervention components using an electronic care management tool; and (3) suitability of data collection procedures and proposed outcome measures.ResultsOf the 105 eligible men, 51 (consent rate 49%) participated in the program. Of the 31 carers nominated by the men, 13 consented (consent rate 42%). All carers and 50 (98%) men completed the program. Most (92%) men were newly diagnosed with localised prostate cancer. All men attended initial screening and assessment for supportive care needs; a total of 838 episodes of contact/consultation were made by the intervention team either in person (9%) or remotely (91%). The intervention was implemented as proposed with no adverse events. The proposed outcome measures and evaluation procedures were found to be appropriate.ConclusionsOur results support the feasibility of implementing this integrated multicomponent care model for men affected by prostate cancer.
Highlights
20,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Australia and 95% of them live at least 5 years after diagnosis.[1]
The prostate cancer survivorship starts at the time of initial diagnosis and treatment and remains the rest of life,[2] in which men face various challenges associated with complex treatment decisions, treatment‐ related side effects, psychological distress and the prospect of recurrence or progression of disease
This paper reports the outcomes of a study that assessed the feasibility of an integrated multi‐component survivorship intervention designed for men with prostate cancer and their partners/carers
Summary
20,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Australia and 95% of them live at least 5 years after diagnosis.[1]. Other common treatment‐related side effects include bowel urgency from radiation therapy, and deterioration in body composition, physical function, cardiometabolic toxicity and loss of libido and physical feminisation from androgen deprivation therapy.[3,4,5,6] men can experience acceleration of comorbid conditions associated with their cancer treatment, such as osteopenia and osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.[6] The complexity of these disease‐ and treatment‐related effects mean that many men with prostate cancer are at risk of or experience unmet supportive care needs. Carers of these men report unmet needs in relation to information and health care services,[7] with some studies reporting that carers can experience greater distress than the men.[8,9]
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