Effects Of Prostate Cancer Treatment Research Articles

Problems sleeping with prostate cancer: exploring possible risk factors for sleep disturbance in a population-based sample of survivors.

Thisstudy aimed to investigate the prevalence of sleeping problems in prostate cancer survivors and to explore the role of predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors in this process. Using a cross-sectional design, 3348 prostate cancer survivors between 2 and 18years post diagnosis reported experiences of insomnia using the QLQC30, along with their sociodemographic characteristics, health status and treatment(s) received. The EQ5D-5L and QLQPR25 assessed survivors' overall and prostate cancer-specific health-related quality of life. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was constructed with three blocks: (1) predisposing (e.g. demographics at diagnosis), (2) precipitating (e.g. disease extent, treatment) and (3) perpetuating factors (e.g. side effects). Nineteen percent of survivors reported significant problems sleeping. The final model accounted for 31% of the variance in insomnia scores (p < .001). In order of magnitude, associates of sleep disturbance were urinary symptoms (β = 0.22; p < .001), experiencing symptoms of depression/anxiety (β = 0.18; p < .001), hormone treatment-related symptoms (β = 0.12; p = .001), pain (β = 0.10; p < .001) and bowel symptoms (β = 0.06; p = .005). Having a lower education and more comorbidities at diagnosis also predicted sleep problems. Results suggest that it is the ongoing adverse effects of prostate cancer and its treatment (e.g. urinary symptoms) that put survivors most at risk of sleep problems. Strong associations with symptoms of depression/anxiety were also observed. Findings highlight the need for health care practitioners to treat and manage adverse effects of prostate cancer treatment in order to mitigate sleep disturbance in survivors.

Football Compared with Usual Care in Men with Prostate Cancer (FC Prostate Community Trial): A Pragmatic Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundPhysical activity has been shown to mitigate the unwanted psychological and physiological side effects of prostate cancer treatments, but sustainable exercise possibilities are limited.ObjectiveOur objective was to examine whether football in a real-world setting (i.e., local football clubs) was safe and feasible in practice and could improve quality of life, mitigate decline in muscle mass and bone density, and increase fat mass in patients with prostate cancer.MethodsIn this pragmatic, multicentre, parallel randomized controlled trial, men diagnosed with prostate cancer were recruited from five Danish urological departments. Men (N = 214) diagnosed with prostate cancer were randomly allocated, using random generated lists (block size 4–8) stratified for center and androgen-deprivation therapy status, to either 1 h of football twice weekly in a local football club or to usual care, which was a 15- to 30-min telephone session covering their options for physical activity or free-of-charge rehabilitation delivered as standard in Denmark. Allocation was concealed from the trial investigator performing the randomization, but—given the nature of the intervention—this was not possible for personnel and participants. Assessments were performed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months. The primary outcome was mean change difference in prostate cancer-specific quality of life at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes were body composition, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical and mental health, and safety—reported as fractures, falls, and serious adverse events.ResultsAttrition was 1 and 3% at 12 weeks, and 5% and 5% at 6 months for the usual care and football groups, respectively. Prostate cancer-specific quality of life was equal between groups at 12 weeks (mean difference + 1.9 points, 95% confidence interval [CI] –1.0–4.8; P = 0.20) and at 6 months (+ 0.5 points, 95% CI –2.8–3.8; P = 0.76). Fractures were equally distributed, with two fractures in the usual care group and one in the football group. Likewise, body composition outcomes were equal. Mental health improved after 6 months of football (mean difference + 2.7 points, 95% CI 0.8–4.6; P = 0.006).ConclusionsIn this trial, community-based football was a feasible exercise strategy for men with prostate cancer. Football did not improve prostate cancer-specific quality of life but did improve mental health; the clinical significance of this is unclear.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02430792.

Variation and Trends in Antidepressant Prescribing for Men Undergoing Treatment for Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer: A Population-based Cohort Study

Psychological distress is prevalent among men with prostate cancer (PCa). However, the variation in antidepressant use among individuals throughout the survivorship period is unknown. We sought to examine the variation and trends in receipt of antidepressants after PCa treatment, among patients with nonmetastatic PCa. Using population-based linked administrative data, we identified men ≥66 yr old who underwent surgery (n=4952), radiotherapy (n=4994), or surveillance (n=2136), and these men were matched to general population controls (n=57127). One year prior to PCa treatment, 7.7% of men received an antidepressant prescription, which increased to 10.5% in the year after treatment. In difference-in-differences analysis, adjusted for demographic and health characteristics, men had increased odds of antidepressant receipt up to 5 yr after surgery (odds ratio [OR] 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–1.64; p≤0.0001) or radiotherapy (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.21–1.47; p≤0.0001). Men did not have an increased risk of antidepressant receipt up to 5 yr after surveillance (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.94–1.41; p=0.16). Limitations include the potential for selection bias and misclassification due to the retrospective design of the study and the use of administrative databases. Thus, men with nonmetastatic PCa who initially receive surgery or radiotherapy, but not those who initially undergo surveillance, have an increased risk of antidepressant receipt after treatment. Patient summaryIn this report, we examined antidepressant prescription for men after treatment of nonmetastatic prostate cancer across the entire population of men ≥66 yr in Ontario, Canada, from 2002 to 2009. For men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer, the risk of antidepressant receipt at 5 yr after treatment was significantly increased after surgery or radiotherapy, but not after surveillance. Providers and patients should consider the psychological effects of prostate cancer treatment during the survivorship period.

What Gay and Bisexual Men Treated for Prostate Cancer Want in a Sexual Rehabilitation Program: Results of the Restore Needs Assessment

IntroductionWhile erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are well-documented effects of prostate cancer treatment, the impact of sexual concerns on the lives of gay and bisexual men treated for prostate cancer has not been well researched. Specifically there are no known studies investigating what gay and bisexual men want in sexual recovery treatment. MethodsTo conduct this needs assessment, we recruited 193 gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer from the largest online cancer support group in North America. As part of a wider study of sexual functioning, participants completed a 32-item needs assessment and a qualitative question assessing their needs. ResultsThere was high interest in a sexual recovery program across race/ethnicity and by treatment type. The most preferred formats were a self-directed online curriculum and participation in a support group specific to gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer. A variety of formats, language and contents were deemed appropriate and important by most participants. Frank explicit language and content were preferred. Three themes emerged in the qualitative analysis. ConclusionsGay and bisexual men treated for prostate cancer want a recovery curriculum that explicitly addresses the sexual challenges they face before, during and after treatment. While differences were identified across race and treatment type, they were relatively few and minor in magnitude, suggesting that a single online curriculum could advance rehabilitation for this population.

Comparative effectiveness of prostate cancer treatments for patient-centered outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA Compliant).

In the context of prostate cancer (PCa) characterized by the multiple alternative treatment strategies, comparative effectiveness analysis is essential for informed decision-making. We analyzed the comparative effectiveness of PCa treatments through systematic review and meta-analysis with a focus on outcomes that matter most to newly diagnosed localized PCa patients. We performed a systematic review of literature published in English from 1995 to October 2016. A search strategy was employed using terms "prostate cancer," "localized," "outcomes," "mortality," "health related quality of life," and "complications" to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective, and retrospective studies. For observational studies, only those adjusting for selection bias using propensity-score or instrumental-variables approaches were included. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratio was used to assess all-cause and disease-specific mortality. Funnel plots were used to assess the level of bias. Our search strategy yielded 58 articles, of which 29 were RCTs, 6 were prospective studies, and 23 were retrospective studies. The studies provided moderate data for the patient-centered outcome of mortality. Radical prostatectomy demonstrated mortality benefit compared to watchful waiting (all-cause HR = 0.63 CI = 0.45, 0.87; disease-specific HR = 0.48 CI = 0.40, 0.58), and radiation therapy (all-cause HR = 0.65 CI = 0.57, 0.74; disease-specific HR = 0.51 CI = 0.40, 0.65). However, we had minimal comparative information about tradeoffs between and within treatment for other patient-centered outcomes in the short and long-term. Lack of patient-centered outcomes in comparative effectiveness research in localized PCa is a major hurdle to informed and shared decision-making. More rigorous studies that can integrate patient-centered and intermediate outcomes in addition to mortality are needed.

What Gay and Bisexual Men Treated for Prostate Cancer are Offered and Attempt as Sexual Rehabilitation for Prostate Cancer: Results from the Restore Study

IntroductionThis is the first known study to investigate what gay and bisexual men are offered and what they try as rehabilitation to address the sexual and urinary effects of prostate cancer treatment. MethodsA total of 193 gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer were recruited from a large male cancer survivor support and advocacy website. Online participants completed survey questions asking what rehabilitation treatments were offered, what they tried and what their satisfaction was with outcomes. ResultsMost participants (68.4%) reported being out as gay/bisexual to at least 1 cancer specialist. Only 8.8% reported that a sexual history was taken. The most common problems reported were loss of ejaculate (93.8%), erectile difficulties (89.6%), change in sense of orgasm (87.0%), loss of sexual confidence (76.7%), changes to the penis (65.8%), increased pain in receptive anal sex (64.8%), urinary incontinence not related to sex (64.2%) and urinary incontinence during sex (49.2%). Of these factors only loss of ejaculate, erectile difficulties and nonsexual urinary problems were commonly discussed by clinicians during prostate cancer treatment. Satisfaction with specific rehabilitation options varied widely. ConclusionsTreatment for prostate cancer lacks adequate history taking and consensus around rehabilitation practices, resulting in idiosyncratic approaches to rehabilitation. Four clinical questions may improve outcomes. Prostate cancer specialists need education to become culturally competent in addressing the unique needs of gay and bisexual patients.

PD47-01 THE EFFECT OF PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT ON PATIENT REPORTED URINARY AND SEXUAL FUNCTION VARIES BY DISEASE SEVERITY: 3-YEAR RESULTS FROM THE CEASAR STUDY

You have accessJournal of UrologyProstate Cancer: Epidemiology & Natural History III1 Apr 2017PD47-01 THE EFFECT OF PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT ON PATIENT REPORTED URINARY AND SEXUAL FUNCTION VARIES BY DISEASE SEVERITY: 3-YEAR RESULTS FROM THE CEASAR STUDY Mark Tyson, JoAnn Alvarez, Tatsuki Koyama, Matthew Resnick, David Penson, and Daniel Barocas Mark TysonMark Tyson More articles by this author , JoAnn AlvarezJoAnn Alvarez More articles by this author , Tatsuki KoyamaTatsuki Koyama More articles by this author , Matthew ResnickMatthew Resnick More articles by this author , David PensonDavid Penson More articles by this author , and Daniel BarocasDaniel Barocas More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.2361AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Disease severity may modulate the effects of prostate cancer treatment on patient-reported functional outcomes. The objective of this study is to determine how the effects of contemporary prostate cancer treatments on functional outcomes vary by disease risk. METHODS The Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation (CEASAR) study is a prospective, population-based, observational study which enrolled men with localized prostate cancer in 2011 and 2012. Patient-reported function was measured using the 26-item Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC) at baseline, 6, 12, and 36 months after treatment. To identify differences in the effect of treatment on EPIC domain scores by disease risk, we fit a set of longitudinal models with interactions between disease risk and treatment type (radical prostatectomy [RP] or external beam radiotherapy [EBRT]) with adjustments for the following factors: time since treatment, pre-treatment function, age, race, comorbidity, educational attainment, insurance type, employment, marital status, physical function score, social support, depression score, participatory decision-making score, and study site. RESULTS Among the 2544 participants, 1144 (45%) had low-risk, 983 (39%) had intermediate-risk, and 417 (16%) had high-risk disease. Among low-risk patients, RP causes more severe decreases in sexual function compared to EBRT at 3 years (mean difference in EPIC score: -14.30 [95% CI: -18.56, -10.53]); however, among high-risk patients, this difference becomes both clinically and statistically insignificant (-4.46 [-9.79, 0.88]). With respect to incontinence, RP leads to even greater declines in function among high-risk patients compared to EBRT at 3 years (difference in treatment effects among low risk: -14.60 [-18.00, -11.19] and high risk: -19.25 [-23.87, -14.62]). No clinically significant interactions between treatment and risk were detected among the bowel, hormone, or urinary irritative domains. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the effect of treatment on urinary incontinence and sexual function vary by disease risk. Namely, high-risk patients report similar sexual function at 3 years regardless of treatment type but more drastic declines in urinary incontinence after surgery. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e896 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Mark Tyson More articles by this author JoAnn Alvarez More articles by this author Tatsuki Koyama More articles by this author Matthew Resnick More articles by this author David Penson More articles by this author Daniel Barocas More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

MP69-19 THE IMPACT OF RACE ON PERCEPTIONS OF ANXIETY AFTER LOCAL THERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER

You have accessJournal of UrologyGeneral & Epidemiological Trends & Socioeconomics: Practice Patterns, Quality of Life and Shared Decision Making III1 Apr 2017MP69-19 THE IMPACT OF RACE ON PERCEPTIONS OF ANXIETY AFTER LOCAL THERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER Shilajit Kundu, Vincent Wong, Channa Amarasekera, Kevin Lewis, Edward Schaeffer, Anthony Schaeffer, Joshua Meeks, David Victorson, James Burns, Sandra Gutierrez, Kevin McVary, Sarah Psutka, and David Cella Shilajit KunduShilajit Kundu More articles by this author , Vincent WongVincent Wong More articles by this author , Channa AmarasekeraChanna Amarasekera More articles by this author , Kevin LewisKevin Lewis More articles by this author , Edward SchaefferEdward Schaeffer More articles by this author , Anthony SchaefferAnthony Schaeffer More articles by this author , Joshua MeeksJoshua Meeks More articles by this author , David VictorsonDavid Victorson More articles by this author , James BurnsJames Burns More articles by this author , Sandra GutierrezSandra Gutierrez More articles by this author , Kevin McVaryKevin McVary More articles by this author , Sarah PsutkaSarah Psutka More articles by this author , and David CellaDavid Cella More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.2315AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Despite the potential side effects associated with treating prostate cancer, many men choose treatment over observation. The relative treatment benefits and harms to health related quality of life outcomes (HRQOL) remain poorly understood. In particular, there is a paucity of data detailing the differences in perceived treatment outcomes in African American (AA) and Hispanic men. We prospectively evaluated the functional and psychosocial effects of prostate cancer treatment in men and hypothesize that there may be differences in outcomes in Caucasian men vs. AA/Hispanic men. METHODS We enrolled 105 men with recently diagnosed prostate cancer at our institution in an internet-based study which used validated questionnaires to longitudinally assess HRQOL domains such as sexual and urinary function, bowel function, anxiety, and depression, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following treatment. Linear mixed models were used to examine changes in self-reported measures at enrollment (pre-treatment) and at each post-treatment follow-up assessment. We focused our analysis on the 70 patients who chose radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy as treatment: 55 of these men were non-Hispanic white; 15 were AA or Hispanic. RESULTS Despite significant declines in functional outcomes such as erectile function (P<.001 for both groups), anxiety was significantly lowered post-treatment in both groups. Significant reductions in anxiety were noted for Caucasian men (3.9 points, P<0.001) and were even greater for AA/Hispanic men (5.7 points, P<.001). When controlling for differences in income, marital status, education, and improvements in urinary score, the impact on anxiety remained significant (P<0.05) at 3, 6, and 12 months. Based on previous analyses, these improvements are both statistically and clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS We found significant reductions in anxiety after local therapy. While these reductions were found in all men, AA and Hispanic men reported a greater reduction in anxiety compared to Caucasians. This suggests that AA/Hispanic men may have a different perspective regarding prostate cancer and treatment outcomes. Further work is necessary to elucidate this difference in perspective. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e933-e934 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Shilajit Kundu More articles by this author Vincent Wong More articles by this author Channa Amarasekera More articles by this author Kevin Lewis More articles by this author Edward Schaeffer More articles by this author Anthony Schaeffer More articles by this author Joshua Meeks More articles by this author David Victorson More articles by this author James Burns More articles by this author Sandra Gutierrez More articles by this author Kevin McVary More articles by this author Sarah Psutka More articles by this author David Cella More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Patients\u2019 perceptions of the negative effects following different prostate cancer treatments and the impact on psychological well-being: a nationwide survey

Background:Although the prognosis of localised prostate cancer is good, the negative effects of prostate cancer treatment often impair patient quality of life. A growing number of men experience these negative effects over a longer time because of the increased incidence of and prolonged survival in prostate cancer, and the ageing of the population. Only a few studies have investigated the adverse effects of different prostate cancer treatments using large population-based samples.Methods:We conducted a nationwide survey (n=1239) to collect detailed information regarding the negative effects (i.e., the occurrence, perceived level and perceived bother since the beginning of the treatment) of prostate cancer treatments: radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, hormone therapy and surveillance. Furthermore, we measured patient satisfaction with the outcome of the treatment and their psychological well-being (i.e., psychological symptoms and satisfaction with life) 5 years after diagnosis. The negative effects between the treatments were compared, and the determinants of satisfaction and psychological well-being were investigated.Results:The negative effects of all types of active prostate cancer treatments were common and persistent (33–48% reported symptoms at 5 years) and showed the known differences between the treatments. Prostatectomy and the radiotherapies caused urinary leakage; radiotherapy also caused symptoms of urinary irritation; and external radiation also caused bowel dysfunction. Most symptoms were considered highly bothersome. Most respondents (81−93%) reported that their treatment negatively affected their sex lives; 70–92% reported sexual dysfunction; and 20–58% reported that their sex lives with their spouses had ended. Urinary symptoms were especially associated with poorer psychological outcomes. The perception of symptom level and bother had a greater effect on patient satisfaction and well-being than the symptoms per se.Conclusion:Multiple and persistent negative effects follow active prostate cancer treatment, and these effects predict long-term patient satisfaction and psychological well-being. The harms and benefits associated with prostate cancer treatments should be considered when selecting whether and how to actively treat prostate cancer.

The impact of race on perceptions of anxiety after radical prostatectomy.

e538 Background: Despite the potential side effects associated with treating prostate cancer, many men choose treatment over observation. The relative treatment benefits and harms to heath related quality of life outcomes (HRQOL) remain poorly understood. In particular, there is a paucity of data detailing the differences in perceived treatment outcomes in African American (AA) and Hispanic men. We prospectively evaluated the functional and psychosocial effects of prostate cancer treatment in men and hypothesize that there may be differences in outcomes in Caucasian men vs. AA/Hispanic men. Methods: We enrolled 105 men with recently diagnosed prostate cancer at our institution in an internet-based study which used validated questionnaires to longitudinally assess HRQOL domains such as sexual and urinary function, bowel function, anxiety, and depression, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following treatment. Linear mixed models were used to examine changes in self-reported measures at enrollment (pre-treatment) and at each post-treatment follow-up assessment. We focused our analysis on the 62 patients who chose radical prostatectomy as treatment: 49 of these men were non-Hispanic white; 13 were AA or Hispanic. Results: Despite significant declines in functional outcomes such as erectile function (P &lt; .001 for both groups), anxiety was significantly lowered post-treatment in both groups as well. Significant reductions in anxiety were noted for Caucasian men (4.6 points , P &lt; 0.001) and were even greater for AA/Hispanic men (7.9 points, P &lt; .001). When controlling for differences in income, marital status, education, and improvements in urinary score, the impact on anxiety remained significant (P &lt; 0.05) at 3, 6, and 12 months . Based on previous analysis, these improvements are both statistically and clinically significant improvements. Conclusions: We found significant reductions in anxiety after prostate cancer surgery. While these reductions were found in all men, AA and Hispanic men reported a greater reduction in anxiety compared to the Caucasian cohort. This suggests that AA/Hispanic men may have a different perspective regarding prostate cancer and treatment outcomes. Further work is necessary to elucidate this difference in perspective.

Nutrition therapy with high intensity interval training to improve prostate cancer-related fatigue in men on androgen deprivation therapy: a study protocol

BackgroundCancer-related fatigue is one of the most prevalent, prolonged and distressing side effects of prostate cancer treatment with androgen deprivation therapy. Preliminary evidence suggests natural therapies such as nutrition therapy and structured exercise prescription can reduce symptoms of cancer-related fatigue. Men appear to change their habitual dietary patterns after prostate cancer diagnosis, yet prostate-specific dietary guidelines provide limited support for managing adverse side effects of treatment. The exercise literature has shown high intensity interval training can improve various aspects of health that are typically impaired with androgen deprivation therapy; however exercise at this intensity is yet to be conducted in men with prostate cancer. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of nutrition therapy beyond the current healthy eating guidelines with high intensity interval training for managing cancer-related fatigue in men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy.Methods/designThis is a two-arm randomized control trial of 116 men with prostate cancer and survivors treated with androgen deprivation therapy. Participants will be randomized to either the intervention group i.e. nutrition therapy and high intensity interval training, or usual care. The intervention group will receive 20 weeks of individualized nutrition therapy from an Accredited Practising Dietitian, and high intensity interval training (from weeks 12–20 of the intervention) from an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. The usual care group will maintain their standard treatment regimen over the 20 weeks. Both groups will undertake primary and secondary outcome testing at baseline, week 8, 12, and 20; testing includes questionnaires of fatigue and quality of life, objective measures of body composition, muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, biomarkers for disease progression, as well as dietary analysis. The primary outcomes for this trial are measures of fatigue and quality of life.DiscussionThis study is the first of its kind to determine the efficacy of nutrition therapy above the healthy eating guidelines and high intensity interval training for alleviating prostate-cancer related fatigue. If successful, nutrition therapy and high intensity interval training may be proposed as an effective therapy for managing cancer-related fatigue and improving quality of life in men during and after prostate cancer treatment.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615000512527. Trial registered on the 22/5/2015.

Predictors of multidomain decline in health-related quality of life after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for localized prostate cancer involves high-dose-per-fraction radiation treatments. Its use is increasing, but concerns remain about treatment-related toxicity. The authors assessed the incidence and predictors of a global decline in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after prostate SBRT. From 2008 to 2014, 713 consecutive men with localized prostate cancer received treatment with SBRT according to a prospective institutional protocol. Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) HRQOL data were collected at baseline and longitudinally for 5 years. EPIC-26 is comprised of 5 domains. The primary endpoint was defined as a decline exceeding the clinically detectable threshold in ≥4 EPIC-26 domains, termed multidomain decline. The median age was 69 years, 46% of patients had unfavorable intermediate-risk or high-risk disease, and 20% received androgen-deprivation therapy. During 1 to 3 months and 6 to 60 months after SBRT, 8% to 15% and 10% to 11% of patients had multidomain declines, respectively. On multivariable analysis, lower baseline bowel HRQOL (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.7; P < .01) and baseline depression (odds ratio, 5.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-24.3; P = .02) independently predicted for multidomain decline. Only 3% to 4% of patients had long-term multidomain declines exceeding twice the clinical threshold, and 30% of such declines appeared to be related to prostate cancer treatment or progression of disease. Prostate SBRT has minimal long-term impact on multidomain decline, and the majority of more significant multidomain declines appear to be unrelated to treatment. This emphasizes the importance of focusing not only on the side effects of prostate cancer treatment but also on other comorbid illnesses that contribute to overall HRQOL. Cancer 2017;123:1635-1642. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

A Nationwide Survey of Prostate Specific Antigen Based Screening and Counseling for Prostate Cancer

IntroductionControversy surrounds prostate specific antigen screening following the 2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force grade D recommendation. There is limited evidence evaluating patterns of prostate specific antigen counseling and patient perceptions of the prostate specific antigen test since 2012. We evaluated the association between prostate cancer screening counseling and patient sociodemographic factors in a nationally representative sample. MethodsUsing data from the 2013 Health Information National Trends Survey we identified 768 male respondents age 40 to 75 years without a prior prostate cancer diagnosis. Using logistical regression we assessed trends in prostate cancer screening, counseling and prostate specific antigen use. ResultsOverall 54.1% of respondents reported ever having a prostate specific antigen test. Men undergoing prostate specific antigen testing were more likely to have had a prior cancer diagnosis other than prostate cancer (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.19–12.94) and to have had at least some college education (OR 11.35, 95% CI 3.29–39.04). Men 40 to 49 years old had decreased odds of undergoing prostate specific antigen testing compared to men 50 to 69 years old (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.10–0.39). History of cancer (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.19–5.26) was associated with greater odds of being counseled on the potential adverse effects of prostate cancer treatment. Younger men (age 40 to 49 years) had decreased odds of discussing the prostate specific antigen test with a health care professional (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16–0.62) and being informed of the controversy surrounding prostate specific antigen screening (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13–0.95). ConclusionsWe show that certain men receive substantially different prostate specific antigen screening counseling, which may impact shared patient-provider decision making before prostate specific antigen counseling.

Providing prostate cancer survivorship care in Japan: Implications from the USA care model.

Despite an increasing number of prostate cancer survivors in Japan, the current delivery of prostate cancer survivorship care is insufficient and lacks a multidisciplinary approach. We carried out a study to characterize prostate cancer survivorship care in Japan, examine the Japanese workforce available to deliver survivorship care, introduce a conceptual framework for survivorship and identify opportunities to improve Japanese survivorship care. We systematically searched PubMed for prostate cancer survivorship care studies, including those from Japan. We also searched the internet for prostate cancer guidelines relevant to survivorship care. We found 392 articles, of which 71 were relevant, read in detail and reported here. In Japan, survivorship care is mostly provided by urologists. Primary care as a specialty does not exist in Japan, and there are no independent nurse practitioners or physician assistants to assist with survivorship care. Japanese quality of life studies characterize the long-term effects of prostate cancer treatment, but routine use of patient-reported outcomes is not common in Japan. In the USA, in light of a growing comprehensive awareness of challenges facing survivors and their providers, the American Cancer Society prostate cancer survivorship care guidelines serve as a tool for optimizing the management of long-term treatment effects and coordination of care. In order to deliver high-quality survivorship care in Japan, urologists need to establish collaborations with other disciplines within the delivery system. A multidisciplinary guideline for prostate cancer survivorship care in Japan appears warranted.

The effects of radical prostatectomy on gay and bisexual men's mental health, sexual identity and relationships: qualitative results from the restore study

ABSTRACTThe effect of prostate cancer treatment in gay and bisexual men is an under-researched area. In 2015, we conducted in-depth telephone interviews with 19 gay and bisexual men who had undergone radical prostatectomies. Across the respondents’ five emotional themes emerged: (1) shock at the diagnosis, (2) a reactive, self-reported “depression”, (3) sex-specific situational anxiety, (4) a sense of grief, and, (5) an enduring loss of sexual confidence. Identity challenges included loss of a sense of maleness and manhood, changes in strength of sexual orientation, role-in-sex identity, and immersion into sexual sub-cultures. Relationship challenges identified included disclosing the sexual effects of treatment to partners, loss of partners, and re-negotiation of sexual exclusivity. Most to all of these effects stem from sexual changes. To mitigate these negative effects of radical prostatectomy, and to address health disparities n outcomes observed in gay and bisexual men, all these challenges need to be considered in any tailored rehabilitation program for gay and bisexual men.

Online Versus Telephone Methods to Recruit and Interview Older Gay and Bisexual Men Treated for Prostate Cancer: Findings from the Restore Study

BackgroundRecently, researchers have faced the challenge of conflicting recommendations for online versus traditional methods to recruit and interview older, sexual minority men. Older populations represent the cohort least likely to be online, necessitating the use of traditional research methods, such as telephone or in-person interviews. By contrast, gay and bisexual men represent a population of early adopters of new technology, both in general and for medical research. In a study of older gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer, we asked whether respondents preferred online versus offline methods for data collection. Given the paucity of research on how to recruit older gay and bisexual men in general, and older gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer in particular, we conducted an observational study to identify participant preferences when participating in research studies.ObjectiveTo test online versus offline recruitment demographic data collection, and interview preferences of older gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer.MethodsEmail blasts were sent from a website providing support services for gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer, supplemented with an email invitation from the web-host. All invitations provided information via the study website address and a toll-free telephone number. Study tasks included respondents being screened, giving informed consent, completing a short survey collecting demographic data, and a 60-75 minute telephone or Internet chat interview. All materials stressed that enrollees could participate in each task using either online methods or by telephone, whichever they preferred.ResultsA total of 74 men were screened into the study, and 30 were interviewed. The average age of the participants was 63 years (standard deviation 6.9, range 48-75 years), with most residing in 14 American states, and one temporarily located overseas. For screening, consent, and the collection of demographic data, 97% (29/30) of the participants completed these tasks using online methods. For the interview, 97% (29/30) chose to be interviewed by telephone, rather than Internet chat.ConclusionsOlder gay and bisexual men, when given choices, appear to prefer a mixed methods approach to qualitative investigations. For most aspects of the study, the older men chose online methods; the exception was the interview, in which case almost all preferred telephone. We speculate that a combination of the deeply personal nature of the topic (sexual effects of prostate cancer treatment), unfamiliarity with online chat, and possibly the subject burden involved in extensive typing contributed to the preference of telephone versus online chat. Recruitment of older men into this study showed good geographic diversity. We recommend that other qualitative researchers consider a mixed methods approach when recruiting older populations online.

93 A nationwide survey of prostate specific antigen based screening and counseling for prostate cancer

Abstract Introduction Controversy surrounds prostate specific antigen screening following the 2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force grade D recommendation. There is limited evidence evaluating patterns of prostate specific antigen counseling and patient perceptions of the prostate specific antigen test since 2012. We evaluated the association between prostate cancer screening counseling and patient sociodemographic factors in a nationally representative sample. Methods Using data from the 2013 Health Information National Trends Survey we identified 768 male respondents age 40 to 75 years without a prior prostate cancer diagnosis. Using logistical regression we assessed trends in prostate cancer screening, counseling and prostate specific antigen use. Results Overall 54.1% of respondents reported ever having a prostate specific antigen test. Men undergoing prostate specific antigen testing were more likely to have had a prior cancer diagnosis other than prostate cancer (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.19–12.94) and to have had at least some college education (OR 11.35, 95% CI 3.29–39.04). Men 40 to 49 years old had decreased odds of undergoing prostate specific antigen testing compared to men 50 to 69 years old (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.10–0.39). History of cancer (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.19–5.26) was associated with greater odds of being counseled on the potential adverse effects of prostate cancer treatment. Younger men (age 40 to 49 years) had decreased odds of discussing the prostate specific antigen test with a health care professional (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16–0.62) and being informed of the controversy surrounding prostate specific antigen screening (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13–0.95). Conclusions We show that certain men receive substantially different prostate specific antigen screening counseling, which may impact shared patient-provider decision making before prostate specific antigen counseling.

Predicting return of erectile function following external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy for prostate cancer using EPIC-CP.

87 Background: EPIC-CP (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice) is a one page, 16-item questionnaire designed and validated to measure patient-reported health related quality of life in prostate cancer (PC) patients at the point of care in the clinical setting. We previously developed and externally validated models predictive of intact sexual function (i.e. achieving an erection firm enough for intercourse) at two years following external beam radiation (EBRT) or brachytherapy (BT) using EPIC-26, the parent tool from which EPIC-CP was derived. We aimed to enable the use of these models in clinical practice by recalibrating them for use with EPIC-CP. Methods: Using a previously described multicenter longitudinal cohort (PROST-QA), we identified 217 men treated with EBRT and 230 with BT with complete sexual domain and model covariate information. We used the established covariates predictive of functional erections in the EPIC-26-based models (baseline sexual score, neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, and baseline PSA for EBRT, and baseline sexual score, age, race, and BMI for BT) to recalibrate the multivariable logistic regression models for use with EPIC-CP. We examined Pearson residuals to determine goodness of fit and compared the individual predictions based on the revised models with those generated by the EPIC-26-based models. Results: The recalibrated EPIC-CP-based models demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC 0.81 for EBRT, AUC 0.87 for BT). Odds ratio estimates for the EPIC-CP models changed by no more than 0.2 from their EPIC-26 counterparts, and remained statistically significant. EPIC-CP and EPIC-26-based predictions had good concordance: the mean ± SD difference in predicted probability between EPIC-26 and EPIC-CP models was 0.0 ± 0.08 in each treatment group. Predicted probabilities were within 15.4% and 15.8% for 95% of the subjects treated with EBRT and BT, respectively. Conclusions: EPIC-CP-based nomograms predicting erectile function two years after EBRT or BT are in good agreement with established EPIC-26-based tools and offer an easily applied and accurate prediction regarding a common and impactful side effect of PC treatment.

Financial toxicity: a potential side effect of prostate cancer treatment among Australian men.

The purpose of this study was to understand the extent, nature and variability of the current economic burden of prostate cancer among Australian men. An online cross‐sectional survey was developed that combined pre‐existing economic measures and new questions. With few exceptions, the online survey was viable and acceptable to participants. The main outcomes were self‐reported out‐of‐pocket costs of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, changes in employment status and household finances. Men were recruited from prostate cancer support groups throughout Australia. Descriptive statistical analyses were undertaken. A total of 289 men responded to the survey during April and June 2013. Our study found that men recently diagnosed (within 16 months of the survey) (n = 65) reported spending a median AU$8000 (interquartile range AU$14 000) for their cancer treatment while 75% of men spent up to AU$17 000 (2012). Twenty per cent of all men found the cost of treating their prostate cancer caused them ‘a great deal’ of distress. The findings suggest a large variability in medical costs for prostate cancer treatment with 5% of men spending $250 or less in out‐of‐pocket expenses and some men facing very high costs. On average, respondents in paid employment at diagnosis stated that they had retired 4–5 years earlier than planned.

Partner’s Perspective on Long-term Sexual Dysfunction After Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer is the most common type of male cancer in the United States and the negative effect of prostate cancer treatment on sexual function has been well documented. The objective of this study was to examine the long-term impact of sexual dysfunction on spouses or partners of prostate cancer survivors. A total of 742 spouses of prostate cancer survivors was mailed surveys by the Michigan Public Health Institute, of which 379 were returned (51%). Nine surveys were excluded owing to study ineligibility. Spouses responding to the survey completed a combination of modified items from the Sexual Adjustment Questionnaire and researcher-developed items. Over 75% of spouses reported a decline in sex life quality after treatment. Communication about sexual issues between survivors and their health care providers was rated as good to excellent by 54.7% of partners, whereas 35.1% reported it as fair to poor. Approximately 60% of physicians initially recommended some form of sexual treatment. However, despite the persistence of sexual dysfunction, only 7% of the prostate cancer survivors were currently receiving treatment. Only 4.1% of health care providers referred the survivor to a sex therapist. Physicians need to understand the importance of the open, ongoing communication with prostate cancer survivors about sexual issues because sexual dysfunction seems to continue indefinitely after completion of treatment. Research on the effectiveness of behavioral interventions in restoring sexual health is critically needed for this population, especially as first-line sexual aids and medications are often not satisfactory solutions.