The Study Of Body Image And Quality Of Life In Men With Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common solid tumor malignancy diagnosed in American and European men. In China, the incidence of prostate cancer increased rapidly in recent years. Each of successful treatment options for men with prostate cancer is accompanied by its unique side effect profile. However, treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and the resulting castrate level of testosterone lead to profound changes in one's physical appearance. The findings of this study add to our knowledge regarding body image and QOL among men with prostate cancer, provide a foundation for future research endeavors, and support the development of evidence-based interventions to mitigate body image dissatisfaction and, correspondingly, improvement in QOL.Objective:The goal of this descriptive study was to describe the body image and quality of life in prostate cancer patients. To detect the difference in quality of life with patients based upon whether or not treatment was with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).To explore the relationship of body image and quality of life (QOL) among prostate cancer survivors. To explore the factors which influence the body image and quality of life in men with prostate cancer.Method:The research was a descriptive study. The patients were recruited from the urology outpatient departments at one hospital in Shanghai. Convenience samples of 155 men with prostate cancer were enrolled in the study from July 2009 to July 2010. The participants completed the questionnaires, data collection utilized demographics data, EORTC QLQ-C30 version3.0, EORTC QLQ-PR25, the Body Image Scale, and disease-related data。Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis. T test was used to compare the difference between patients treated with ADT or not. Multiple regression analysis was used to explore predictors of body image and quality of life in prostate cancer patients. Results:1 There were mild body image problems in prostate cancer patients. The score of physical, role, cognitive, emotional, social function were good (76.3～82.5) in prostate cancer patients. The overall health/functional status were little worse (60.1). The obvious symptoms were fatigue (32.0), insomnia (31.2), economic difficulties (29.3), pain (21.6), dyspnea (19.4), constipation (18.5), appetite loss (17.8), urinary tract symptoms (22.2) and treatment-related symptoms (17.9) are also more apparent. Sexual activity (4.9) was severely impaired.2 There were significant differences in QOL (cognitive functioning domain, sex function domain, treatment related symptoms) based on ADT(P<0.01, P<0.05).3 There was a significant negative relationship between body image dissatisfaction and QOL (P<0.01, P<0.05).4 Marriage, PSA control, age were body image's influence factors. Predictors of quality of life were PSA control, economic status, mode of medical care provider payment, treatment, education level, duration of treatment, age, ADT treatment.Conclusion:There were mild body image problems in prostate cancer patients. The functional status of patients and overall quality of life were good. Urinary tract symptoms and treatment-related symptoms are obvious, sexual function declined significantly. There was a significant negative relationship between body image dissatisfaction and QOL. Marriage, PSA control, age were body image's influence factors. Predictors of quality of life were PSA control, economic status, mode of medical care provider payment, treatment, education level, duration of treatment, age, ADT treatment. Bowel symptoms, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, breathing difficulties were not the common symptoms in prostate cancer in this study.The findings add to our knowledge regarding body image and QOL among men with prostate cancer, provide a foundation for future research endeavors, and support the development of evidence-based interventions to mitigate body image dissatisfaction.