Presence of Symptom Distress and Prostate Cancer-Related Anxiety in Patients at the Beginning of Cancer Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: A growing body of research points towards asubstantial number of prostate cancer patients experiencingdistress and anxiety. This study examines the frequency andcharacter of cancer- and treatment-related problems and itsassociation with symptom distress and prostate cancer-relatedanxiety in patients at the beginning of an oncologicalrehabilitation programm. Patients and Methods: 197 prostatecancer patients who had undergone prostatectomy(92.5% participation rate) completed the Memorial AnxietyScale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC), the NCCN DistressThermometer and EORTC QLQ-C30 subscales emotionalfunction and global quality of life. Results: 88% of patientsreport cancer- or treatment-related problems with a mean of5 problems, and 104 patients (53%) experience distressand/or prostate cancer-related anxiety. The most prevalentsymptoms are changes in urination, sexual problems, difficultiesgetting around, pain, fatigue and sleep problems.Emotional problems such as nervousness, worries, fearsand sadnessness are prevalent in at least 53% of patients.Patients with distress and anxiety are confronted with ahigher number and a wider range of problems and experiencesignificantly lower levels of quality of life. Conclusion:Findings emphasize the role of cancer rehabilitation and underlinethe importance of psychosocial screening measuresand the provision of psychosocial support in prostate cancerpatients.