Resources for your patients

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Patient perspective

Uptake and adherence to active surveillance continues to be a challenge. Being diagnosed and living with untreated prostate cancer can have a negative impact on men's psychological wellbeing, quality of life and AS adherence. More recent studies have helped identify some of the key priorities for health care professionals and patients, that should be considered.

Our insights on the information and support needs of men eligible for active surveillance highlight:

Although the number of men on active surveillance is increasing, patient information and support varies across the UK.
Most men eligible for AS feel well supported at diagnosis and during active surveillance, but some men need more help and support.

Choosing active surveillance over treatment options isn't always an easy decision. Some men, their partners and family members, may feel that it goes against the instinct of wanting to treat and ‘get of the cancer’ immediately.

A man's partner and loved ones can influence treatment decision making and adherence to active surveillance. Therefore it is important to provide partners and family with the appropriate health information and include them in treatment discussions.

Language used during the initial consultation to ‘frame diagnosis’ can determine whether men feel comfortable choosing active surveillance. For example, describing the cancer as “very small”, explaining prognosis, and describing active surveillance as a “modern” and “progressive” way to manage localised prostate cancer.

Regular open communication with a trusted health professional, and a personalised treatment plan are crucial to ensuring men feel reassured on active surveillance. It can also help them avoid the adverse side effects from radical treatment.

Resources for your patients

Listed below are some of our key resources for men eligible for active surveillance:

Active surveillance fact sheet

This fact sheet is for anyone who wants to know more about active surveillance, which is a way of monitoring localised (early) prostate cancer rather than treating it straight away. A man's partner, family or friends might also find this resource helpful.

Order or download a copy.

Active surveillance – prostate information webpage

Our latest evidence-based information on active surveillance.

‘Prostate cancer: Knowing your options’

The East of England Cancer Alliance are supporting men with localised prostate cancer to choose treatment through an evidence-based online tool, which provides men with relevant information based on their Gleason Group, PSA and Stage of disease. The outputs from the tool are based on NICE clinical guidelines and support men to understand the risks and benefits of each option.

For some men, using an online decision-making tool can be extremely helpful. I recently spoke to a gentleman after he used the East of England Cancer Alliance website. He was shocked to find that with his diagnosis and individual results, radical treatment only reduced his risk of death from prostate cancer by 2% at 10 years and 4% at 15 years. This completely changed his mind set and supported him to decide on the right treatment for him.

Meg Burgess Prostate Cancer UK Specialist Nurse

Check out the tool

Contents

Resources for your patients

Patient perspective

Resources for your patients

‘Prostate cancer: Knowing your options’

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