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. 2020 Oct;29(10):1713-1719.
doi: 10.1002/pon.5513. Epub 2020 Sep 1.

Changes in lifestyle among prostate cancer survivors: A nationwide population-based study

Oskar Bergengren  1 , Anna Pia Enblad  1 , Hans Garmo  2   3 , Ola Bratt  4   5 , Lars Holmberg  1   3 , Eva Johansson  1 , Anna Bill-Axelson  1
Affiliations

Changes in lifestyle among prostate cancer survivors: A nationwide population-based study

Oskar Bergengren et al. Psychooncology. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: Long-term information on lifestyle changes among prostate survivors is lacking. In this nationwide, population-based study we investigated the prevalence of lifestyle changes, factors associated with lifestyle changes and associations between lifestyle changes and general quality of life.

Methods: All men registered in the National Prostate Cancer Register of Sweden diagnosed in 2008 with low-risk prostate cancer at age 70 years or younger were sent a questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals for factors potentially associated with lifestyle change.

Results: Out of 1288, 1720 men (75%) were responded. A total of 279 (22%) reported a positive lifestyle change regarding diet or exercise. Poor functional outcomes after treatment was associated with exercising less (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.1) and less interest in social activities and relationships (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.1). Men who exercised more (OR 7.9, 95% CI 4.4-14) and men who had an increased interest in relationships and social activities (OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.1-13) reported higher general quality of life.

Conclusions: A considerable proportion of men reported making positive lifestyle changes after the prostate cancer diagnosis. The time after diagnosis may be a teachable moment that facilitates lifestyle interventions. Poor functional outcomes after treatment may reduce the willingness to engage in positive lifestyle change, which need be considered when supporting men after treatment. Men who made a positive lifestyle change, regardless of whether it was exercise or regarding relationships and social activities more often reported a high level of general quality of life.

Keywords: cancer; lifestyle; oncology; prostate cancer; psycho-oncology; quality of life; survivorship.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Forest plot illustrating factors potentially associated with lifestyle changes. Odds ratio shows the probability of making a lifestyle change. An EPIC‐26 score < 80 indicate a poor functional outcome after treatment. Adjusted for age, work status, education and Charlson Comorbidity Index. EPIC‐26, The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite 26 item short form version; Ref, reference
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Bar chart illustrating percentage of lifestyle changes among men who rated their quality of life as low (1‐2), moderate (3‐5) or high (6‐7)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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