A systematic review of the unmet supportive care needs of men on active surveillance for prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective Understanding the unmet supportive care needs of men on active surveillance for prostate cancer may enable researchers and health professionals to better support men and prevent discontinuation when there is no evidence of disease progression. This review aimed to identify the specific unmet supportive care needs of men on active surveillance. Methods A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Databases (Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) were searched to identify qualitative and/or quantitative studies that reported unmet needs specific to men on active surveillance. Quality appraisals were conducted before results were narratively synthesised. Results Of the 3613 unique records identified, only eight articles were eligible (five qualitative and three cross‐sectional studies). Unmet Informational, Emotional/Psychological, Social, and “Other” needs were identified. Only three studies had a primary aim of investigating unmet supportive care needs. Small active surveillance samples, use of nonvalidated measures, and minimal reporting of author reflexivity in qualitative studies were the main quality issues identified. Conclusions The unmet needs of men on active surveillance is an underresearched area. Preliminary evidence suggests the information available and provided to men during active surveillance is perceived as inadequate and inconsistent. Men may also be experiencing unmet psychological/emotional, social, and other needs; however, further representative, high‐quality research is required to understand the magnitude of this issue. Reporting results specific to treatment type and utilising relevant theories/models (such as the social ecological model [SEM]) is recommended to ensure factors that may facilitate unmet needs are appropriately considered and reported.

Supportive care needs of patients living with an extremely rare and unpredictable cancer: The Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma patient experience

“…This might be comparable to patients on watchful waiting (e.g. prostate or lymphoma patients) (McIntosh et al, 2019) or those living with 'chronic metastatic disease' (Kida et al, 2021). Nevertheless, scores for EHE patients who are undergoing treatment may also be relatively lower than expected since these patients are more likely to have more frequent hospital visits and therefore easier access to supportive care.…”

Screening for Prostate Cancer

“…Overdiagnosis turns healthy men into patients which may take its toll on psychological well-being and quality-of-life. 35,36 Most importantly, over the past two decades, most men with low risk prostate cancer in the US underwent treatment with surgery and radiation. Such overtreatment has no, or almost no, benefit in terms of mortality reduction but leads to important and persistent side-effects, most notably, urinary and erectile dysfunction.…”

Supportive care interventions and quality of life in advanced disease prostate cancer survivors: An integrative review of the literature

“…Literature on PC survivors covers diverse topics, such as available psychosocial interventions or unmet supportive care needs while undergoing specific treatments (Holm et al, 2018;McIntosh et al, 2019;Parahoo et al, 2013). A systematic review and qualitative synthesis by King et al (2015) explored men's experiences of and needs for supportive care, and reported that more patient-centred, nurse-led supportive care is required.…”