Supportive care needs of men with prostate cancer on hormone therapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Determining the supportive care needs, and access to supportive care services, of men with prostate cancer receiving hormone therapy: a cross-sectional study
IRAS ID
201925
Contact name
Catherine Paterson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Prostate cancer is the most common non-dermatological cancer in men in the Western world. With increased early detection, and better localised treatment of prostate cancer, survival statistics have improved, with many men now living for years with their disease. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the core of treatment for advanced prostate cancer, but it is not without associated morbidity, which can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life.
As the prevalence of prostate cancer increases, however, alternative models of follow-up care are increasingly being considered. Men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer where curative intent is no longer the treatment goal, face distinct challenges in contrast to men with localised prostate cancer. Men undergoing ADT may experience the following psychological effects: mood disturbance, cognitive impairment, difficulties with self-image and masculinity; physical effects such as hot flushes, osteoporosis, spinal cord compression, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and changes in muscle mass, and adiposity. Similar to men with localised prostate cancer, men with advanced stage disease report higher levels of psychological distress, poorer quality of life and greater unmet supportive care needs. There is considerable evidence acknowledging that current delivery of care is failing to provide a person-centred model of supportive care in this patient group, as men have voiced a number of unmet needs including: unmet informational needs, enduring urological symptoms, psychological problems and sexual needs.
Recently, a systematic review of the evidence highlighted the substantial impact of cancer and treatment on long-term health and quality of life. Additional research is needed to enable men to share their experiences to understand why unmet supportive care needs are persistent in current care delivery, despite global cancer reforms to improve and optimise supportive care for people living with and beyond prostate cancer.
The aim of this study is to identify the unmet supportive care needs of men receiving ADT for prostate cancer in two patient populations in Melbourne Australia, and Northeast Scotland (Tayside), and determine their access and barriers to appropriate supportive care services to assist with these needs.REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
16/WS/0211
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion