Elevating the patient voice: Understanding treatment preferences in patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Abstract

262 Background: With multiple oral non-chemotherapy medications for prostate cancer patients, there is a need to explore the impact of pill burden on overall quality of life, patient experience, and adherence. This study aimed to understand medication preferences from patients with advanced prostate cancer. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey of patients with advanced prostate cancer living in the United States. Inclusion criteria included: men with a self-reported diagnosis of prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate and are receiving any treatment for prostate cancer. This survey was conducted in January 2024. Patients were recruited through physician referral. Results: The survey enrolled 100 participants with a median age of 65 years (range 39-75). 53 (53%) patients identified as white, 31 (31%) identified as black, 15 (15%) were Hispanic. 81 (81%) stated that they had undergone previous chemotherapy and 80 (80%) patients reported taking oral medications for prostate cancer. Regarding overall pill burden, 48 (48%) took >5 pills/day and 50 (50%) took >3 pills/day including treatment for prostate cancer. Regarding treatment frequency, 63 (63%) patients reported difficulty remembering to take the pills multiple times per day and 92 (92%) patients said they would choose a 1 pill once daily option over a multi-pill regimen. 20 (20%) patients admitted to either having difficulty swallowing pills or being unsure about swallowing pills. Of these 20, 18 (95%) consider it important if a pill can be dispersed in water, or vehicles such as applesauce. 89 (89%) patients said they would prefer a non-chemotherapy treatment option compared to a chemotherapy-containing regimen. Conclusions: Most patients prefer the option of an oral treatment regimen compared with chemotherapy. Due to the challenges of polypharmacy as well as worsening memory, most patients also prefer a one pill once a day regimen. In an older population, therapies with formulations that allow for patient choice in administration schedule may avoid treatment interruptions. When discussing treatment options with patients, providers should take these factors into consideration.