Abstract
BackgroundThe diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) can provide a trigger for dietary change, and there is evidence that healthier diets may improve quality of life and clinical outcomes. However, men’s views about dietary change in PC survivorship are largely unknown. This multi-centre qualitative interview study explored men’s views about dietary change in PC survivorship, to better understand motivations for, and barriers to, achieving desired changes. The role of radical and active surveillance treatments on dietary change and the influence of men’s partners were examined. Focus groups also evaluated stakeholder opinion, including healthcare professionals, about the provision of dietary advice to PC patients.MethodsA multi-centre interview study explored views about diet and motivations for, and barriers to, dietary change in men at elevated risk or diagnosed with PC following prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. 58 men and 11 partners were interviewed. Interviews and focus groups were undertaken with 11 healthcare professionals, 5 patients and 4 partners to evaluate stakeholders’ opinions about the feasibility and acceptability of providing dietary advice to PC patients. Data were analysed using methods of constant comparison and thematic analysis.ResultsOver half of diagnosed men reported making dietary changes, primarily to promote general or prostate health or facilitate coping, despite their uncertainty about diet-PC links. Interest in dietary advice was high. Information needs varied depending on treatment received, with men on active surveillance more frequently modifying their diet and regarding this as an adjunct therapy. Men considered their partners integral to implementing changes. Provision of dietary advice to men diagnosed with PC was considered by healthcare professionals and men to be feasible and appropriate in the context of a holistic ‘care package’.ConclusionsMany men make positive dietary changes after PC diagnosis, which are perceived by men and their partners to bring psychological and general health benefits and could help future dietary intervention trials. Men and their partners desire more and better dietary information that may support PC survivorship, particularly among those embarking on active surveillance/monitoring programmes. There are opportunities for healthcare professionals to support PC patients both clinically and psychologically by the routine integration of healthy eating advice into survivorship care plans.
Highlights
The diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) can provide a trigger for dietary change, and there is evidence that healthier diets may improve quality of life and clinical outcomes
Data derived from food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) completed by ProtecT men before and one year post-diagnosis were used to ensure participants were sampled across the range of degrees of dietary change
Interviews with men at elevated risk or diagnosed with PC and their partners were conducted with participants from a range of age groups, trial recruiting centres, prediagnosis prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and treatments (Table 1)
Summary
The diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) can provide a trigger for dietary change, and there is evidence that healthier diets may improve quality of life and clinical outcomes. The views of stakeholders (e.g. patients and their partners, healthcare providers and researchers) about the provision of dietary advice to men diagnosed with PC are uncertain and men’s experiences and perceptions of being given dietary information after a PC diagnosis are uncertain This interview study explored views about diet and motivations for and barriers to dietary change in men at elevated risk and those diagnosed with PC. This included the possible role of different radical and non-radical treatments received and the influence of men’s partners on dietary change. Subsequent interviews and focus groups with healthcare professionals, patients and their partners sought to evaluate stakeholders’ opinions about the feasibility and acceptability of the routine provision of dietary advice to PC patients within the NHS
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