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The effect of ethnicity and sexual preference on prostate-cancer-related quality of life

Nature Reviews Urology volume 9, pages 258–265 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

In general, patients with prostate cancer are able to maintain a relatively high quality of life (QOL), commonly reporting improvements in physical, emotional, and social functioning within 1 year of treatment. However, certain subpopulations of patients are susceptible to significant reductions in QOL during the course of their treatment. Data suggest that ethnic background and sexual preference both have significant effects on QOL for patients with prostate cancer. These parameters are often poorly documented and addressed by medical practitioners. Greater attention is needed to identify patients who are at increased risk of QOL reduction as a result of these factors.

Key Points

  • Although, in general, patients with prostate cancer are able to maintain a relatively high quality of life, certain subgroups of patients are prone to substantial reductions in quality of life (QOL)

  • Tools commonly used to assess QOL in subpopulations include the SF–36, FACT–G, EORTC QLQ–C30, EORTC QLQ–PR25, UCLA–PCI, and EPIC questionnaires

  • Common limitations exist among QOL studies, including failure to identify subpopulations, use appropriate methods of assessment, and explain confounding factors

  • Comparative analyses show that ethnicity affects QOL for patients with prostate cancer; the implications of ethnic background should be considered when assessing and seeking to improve QOL

  • Patients with prostate cancer who have sex with other men are largely unidentified by physicians and QOL assessment tools are not tailored towards this population

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 833 Chestnut Street, Suite 703, Philadelphia, 19107, PA, USA

    Nir Kleinmann, Leonard G. Gomella, Costas D. Lallas & Edouard J. Trabulsi

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment, 111 South 11th Street, Suite G-301, Philadelphia, 19107, PA, USA

    Nicholas G. Zaorsky & Timothy N. Showalter

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N. Kleinmann, N. G. Zaorsky, E. J. Trabulsi & T. N. Showalter researched the data and provided substantial contributions towards the discussion of content for this article. N. Kleinmann, N. G. Zaorsky & T. N. Showalter wrote the article. All authors reviewed the manuscript before submission.

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Correspondence to Edouard J. Trabulsi.

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Kleinmann, N., Zaorsky, N., Showalter, T. et al. The effect of ethnicity and sexual preference on prostate-cancer-related quality of life. Nat Rev Urol 9, 258–265 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2012.56

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