457 PATIENT ACCEPTANCE OF ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE AS A TREATMENT OPTION FOR LOW-RISK PROSTATE CANCER

Article Outline

• INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
• METHODS
• RESULTS
• CONCLUSIONS
• Copyright

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES 

Active surveillance (AS) is considered a reasonable treatment alternative for men with low-risk prostate cancer, yet less than 10 % of men chose this approach. Psychological issues of non-intervention and of follow-up have previously been identified as having a significant impact on this choice. This study examined the decision making processes of men who agreed to AS, and the resources they wanted to access to make, support and sustain them in their treatment decision.

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METHODS 

Semi-structured interviews of 25 men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer explored the role they reported assuming with their physician in making a decision to go on AS, factors having an influence on the decision to go on AS, and resources men wished to access to support them while on AS. All men were interviewed at the Vancouver Prostate Centre Clinic in British Columbia. Once the qualitative data was analyzed, a three part survey questionnaire was developed and mailed to an additional cross-sectional sample of men on AS. Questions in each section were based on the results of the qualitative study.

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RESULTS 

A total of 64 men out of 110 men completed the survey questionnaire. Twenty six percent of men reported assuming an active role in treatment decision making with their urologist, 37% a shared role, and 37% a passive role. The majority (82%) of men reported being comfortable and satisfied (89%) with their decision. Sixty percent reported not being anxious about the cancer progressing while on AS. The three main factors having an influence on their treatment decision were urologist's opinion, current age, and impact of treatment on urinary function. The majority (66%) wanted to access information to learn more about future treatment options. Approximately half of the men also wanted a ‘moderate' to ‘a great deal' of information on non-traditional treatments and how to eat a ‘prostate friendly' diet.

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CONCLUSIONS 

Results suggest that once men make a decision to go on AS, they are highly satisfied with their decision and few report being anxious about progression of cancer. Men are strongly influenced by the treating specialist in taking up AS. There is a need to develop additional information support resources for these men while on AS.