Fear of recurrence, symptom burden, and health-related quality of life in men with prostate cancer

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the contributions of fear of recurrence and the more commonly examined treatment-related symptoms to the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of men treated for localized prostate cancer.

Methods: A total of 730 men with localized disease were identified from the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor, a national, prospective study of men with prostate cancer. Pre- to post-treatment changes in fear of recurrence, treatment-specific symptoms and burden, comorbidities at diagnosis, number of new symptoms, and post-treatment HRQOL data were analyzed.

Results: Linear regression, adjusted for clinical and demographic characteristics, showed that improved fear of recurrence (P <0.01), higher number of post-treatment symptoms (P <0.01), and improved bowel function (P <0.01) significantly predicted better mental health scores. For physical health, improved urinary bother (P <0.01) and lower number of post-treatment symptoms (P <0.01) were associated with better physical health.

Conclusion: Understanding men's fears about cancer recurrence and how these fears influence physical and mental health are important components of providing care to this growing population.