Making Active Surveillance a path towards health promotion: A qualitative study on prostate cancer patients' perceptions of health promotion during Active Surveillance

Abstract

Objective: Health promotion is a key aspect for health outcomes of prostate cancer (PCa) patients. However, it has been poorly explored among patients following monitoring programmes, for example Active Surveillance (AS). This study aimed to explore PCa patients' perceptions of health promotion during AS.

Methods: An explorative qualitative research design was adopted. Four focus groups were used to collected data from 24 men enrolled in the Prostate Cancer Research International: AS (PRIAS) protocol. A thematic analysis with an inductive approach was performed.

Results: Participants described promoting health during AS as challenged by mental, age-related, informational and organisational issues. It was reported as an effort to stay in the present with a positive outlook, despite the worries for the future ("the mental theme"). It was perceived as impacted by being older and having to manage physical and mental struggles related to age ("the life-course theme"). It depended, in their accounts, on obtaining reliable information and personalised education ("the educational theme"). Finally, it was related on taking responsibility on the care process ("the organisational theme").

Conclusion: This study suggested ways of promoting health during AS that can help healthcare professionals and organisations building a "health-promoting AS," able to improve overall health outcomes.

Keywords: Active Surveillance; health promotion; lifestyle; prostate cancer; quality of life.