Predictors of prostate cancer survivors’ engagement in selfmanagement behaviors

Authors

  • Eleni Giannopoulos Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  • Charles Catton Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  • Meredith Elana Giuliani Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  • Edward Kucharski Ontario Health, Cancer Care Ontario
  • Andrew Matthew Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  • Naa Kwarley Quartey Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  • Janet Papadakos University Health Network

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.7982

Keywords:

neoplasm, prostate, self-management, self-care, unmet needs, information, support, survivor, survivorship

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer survivors experience a multitude of late treatment effects, resulting in greater unmet needs, elevated symptom burden, and reduced quality of life. Survivors can engage in appropriate self-management strategies post-treatment to help reduce the symptom burden. The objectives of this study were to: 1) survey the unmet needs of prostate cancer survivors using the validated Cancer Survivor Unmet Needs instrument; 2) explore predictors of high unmet needs; and 3) investigate prostate cancer survivors’ willingness to engage in self-management behaviors.

METHODS: Survivors were recruited from a prostate clinic and a cross-sectional survey design was employed. Inclusion criteria was having completed treatment two years prior. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to determine predictors of unmet needs and readiness to engage.

RESULTS: A total of 206 survivors participated in the study, with a mean age of 71 years. Most participants were university/college-educated (n=123, 61%) and had an annual household income of >$99 999 (n=74, 38%). Participants reported erectile dysfunction (81%) and nocturia (81%) as the most frequently experienced symptoms with the greatest symptom severity x̄=5.8 and x̄=4.5, respectively). More accessible parking was the greatest unmet need in the quality-of-life domain (n=34/57, 60%). Overall, supportive care unmet needs were predicted by symptom severity on both univariate (p<0.001) and multivariate analyses (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92–1.00, p<0.001). Readiness to engage in self-management was predicted by an income of <$49 000 (OR 3.99, 95% CI 1.71–9.35, p=0.0014).

CONCLUSIONS: Income was the most significant predictor of readiness to engage in self-management. Consideration should be made to establishing no-cost and no-barrier education programs to educate survivors about how to engage in symptom self-management.

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Published

2022-09-30

How to Cite

Giannopoulos, E., Catton, C., Giuliani, M. E., Kucharski, E., Matthew, A., Quartey, N. K., & Papadakos, J. (2022). Predictors of prostate cancer survivors’ engagement in selfmanagement behaviors. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 17(2), 49–60. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.7982

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2023): CUAJ February

Section

Original Research

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