The memorial anxiety scale for prostate cancer: validation of a new scale to measure anxiety in men with with prostate cancer

Abstract

Background: The psychological difficulties facing men with prostate cancer are acknowledged widely, yet identifying men who may benefit from mental health treatment has proven to be a challenging task. The authors developed the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC) to facilitate the identification and assessment of men with prostate cancer-related anxiety. This scale consists of three subscales that measure general prostate cancer anxiety, anxiety related to prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in particular, and fear of recurrence.

Methods: Ambulatory men with prostate cancer (n = 385 patients) were recruited from clinics throughout the United States. Prior to routine PSA tests, participants completed a baseline assessment packet that included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; the Distress Thermometer; the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale, Prostate Module; and measures of role functioning, sleep, and urinary functioning. PSA values from the last three tests also were collected. Follow-up evaluation was completed within 2 weeks after patients learned of their PSA test result using a subset of these scales.

Results: Analysis of the MAX-PC revealed a high degree of internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the total score and for the three subscales, although reliability was somewhat weaker for the PSA Anxiety Scale. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by correlations between the MAX-PC and measures of anxiety. Overall changes in PSA levels were correlated only modestly with changes in MAX-PC scores (correlation coefficient, 0.13; P = 0.02).

Conclusions: The MAX-PC appears to be a valid and reliable measure of anxiety in men with prostate cancer receiving ambulatory care.