Abstract
PurposeLiving with untreated prostate cancer (PCa) may cause anxiety and uncertainty in men undergoing active surveillance (AS). Developing a psychosocial support program for such patients might promote psychosocial well-being and patient engagement. This review aims to identify interventions with the potential to influence the psychosocial burden of prostate cancer patients undergoing AS.MethodsA scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist. A systematic search was conducted in six databases and included publications dating from 2009. All available and eligible evidence was included in this review.ResultsAfter screening 2824 articles, 12 studies were included in the review: nine quantitative, one qualitative, and two mixed method papers. The relative strength of these studies was limited and the quality of most was moderate.ConclusionsThe described interventions can be categorized into three major themes: information and education, coping and (psycho)social support, and lifestyle. Psychosocial support for men undergoing AS should entail involvement of family and spouse during the decision-making process, tailored information about PCa treatments, risks, benefits, protocols, lifestyle adjustments, and complementary and alternative medicine. Assessment and promotion of effective coping and self-management strategies are recommended. Healthcare providers should actively promote physical activity and nutritional improvements. Physical activity programs may also be helpful in facilitating peer support, which is especially important for men with limited social support. Future research should investigate combining interventions to increase efficacy and optimize supportive care during AS.
Highlights
In 2020, approximately 1.4 million men were diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) worldwide [1]
A large proportion of these men are diagnosed with low-risk or insignificant disease [2], and various studies have suggested that men with insignificant or low-risk PCa (LR-PCa) do not benefit from radical treatment
This review aimed to answer the following research question: What interventions affect the psychosocial burden experienced by prostate cancer patients undergoing active surveillance?
Summary
In 2020, approximately 1.4 million men were diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) worldwide [1]. The incidence is still increasing and it is estimated that around 2.3 million men will be diagnosed with PCa annually by 2040 [1]. A large proportion of these men are diagnosed with low-risk or insignificant disease [2], and various studies have suggested that men with insignificant or low-risk PCa (LR-PCa) do not benefit from radical treatment. In this patient population, expectant management is warranted [3]. Patients do not undergo active treatment but remain under close surveillance. Expectant management can be subdivided into active surveillance (AS) and watchful waiting (WW) [4]
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