Not all prostate cancer is the same – patient perceptions: an Asia‐Pacific region study

Abstract

Objective To explore the perceptions of patients living with different stages of prostate cancer across the Asia‐Pacific (APAC) region, as while extensive quantitative research has been undertaken into outcomes of treatments for prostate cancer, little in the way of qualitative research has been performed looking at subjective perceptions of patients in regard to their perceived deficits in the treatment of this condition and such research is particularly lacking in reference to the APAC region. Patients and methods Initial 45‐min qualitative research interrogatory interviews were conducted with 12 patients from Australia, China and Japan to identify themes that were significant to patients in the management of prostate cancer. Thereafter, 150 patients with different stages of prostate cancer underwent 30‐min online (Australia) or computer‐assisted/personal interviews categorised on the five key themes identified, in order to more fully clarify the nature of patient perceptions of how their prostate cancer had been treated and the issues they felt could be more fully addressed in order to improve the management of this condition. Results Interviews indicated common challenges and unmet needs among patients, including: (i) patients’ feelings and emotional state change during their disease journey, (ii) patients lack of knowledge about prostate cancer and disease progression prior to diagnosis, (iii) patients felt shared decision‐making was uncommon, (iv) patients have misperceptions about surgery, and (v) patients have unmet needs for greater information and support to manage their condition. Conclusions These patient perceptions of unmet needs in prostate cancer management stand in contrast to patient awareness of other common diseases such as heart failure and diabetes. Such unmet needs vary across disease stages and between different nationalities. Patients with prostate cancer in the APAC region appear to have gaps in knowledge about their disease and wish for greater information, support and public awareness about prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer in multi‐ethnic Asian men: Real‐world experience in the Malaysia Prostate Cancer (M‐CaP) Study

“…Public awareness of prostate cancer and its disease progression plays a pivotal role in improving the outcome of patients with prostate cancer. Previous studies suggested that gaps in prostate cancer awareness and knowledge about PSA testing, disease prognosis as well as prostate cancer treatment may reflect different levels of education, socioeconomic status, healthcare provision and media coverage across various populations 15,16 . It has also been shown that the prostate cancer mortality‐to‐incidence ratio was significantly lower in countries with high GDP and healthcare expenditure than those of middle‐to‐low income countries 17,18 .…”

Patterns of care for prostate cancer treatment and improving outcomes – are national registries the answer?

“…The PCOR‐ANZ registry data are significant for all clinicians managing men with prostate cancer in Australia and New Zealand, particularly as quality indicator reporting commences. Patients in the region trust healthcare providers to manage their prostate cancer, and this reporting mechanism is a key driver for registries achieving improvement in routine care [4,5]. Previous work via a Delphi process, has clarified 12 indicators for quality of care for prostate cancer, with further indicators relating to radiation oncology under development [6].…”

Vesico‐urethral anastomosis sampling: a forgotten tool for guiding salvage radiation after radical prostatectomy

“…Investigation and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) is highly topical, as it is the second most common cancer in men worldwide [1,2]. While there has been an overall decrease in treatment of PCa, attributable to active surveillance of low-risk PCa in younger age groups, in recent years, we have seen an increase in patients over the age of 65 years who are successfully treated for intermediate-and high-risk PCa by external beam radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy (RP) [3].…”