Funded by the National Cancer Institute
Funding Years: 2010-2012
Approximately 10-30% of men who undergo external beam radiation for localized prostate cancer see rising PSA scores following treatment. Some of these men need androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as salvage treatment. ADT is not curative and has significant side effects that impact quality of life (QOL). These facts must be balanced against its clinical need.
The decision to initiate hormonal therapy is driven more by patient anxiety and less by clinical parameters. Thus, men need to better understand how their PSA values and likelihood of recurrence will change over time.
A novel computer model, based on 2,386 patients previously treated, will provide this information. This project aims to develop and test methods of communicating this information to patients and to determine how patients use it in their treatment decisions.
Aim 1. Develop several graphical methods for presenting the key pieces of numerical information in regard to predicted PSA response and clinical failure.
Aim 2: Pilot test the materials in urology and RT clinics to determine the best method for communicating the information to patients. Based on pilot testing, choose one graphical format for further evaluation.
Aim 3: Using the identified graphical format, test the use of these materials in encounters with patients who are actually making decisions regarding ADT. We assess anxiety, knowledge, risk perceptions, actual behavior in regard to ADT, self-efficacy for making a treatment decision, and satisfaction with the tool.
Daniel Hamstra (PI), Doris R. Brown (Co-I), Angela Fagerlin (Co-I), Shruti Jolly (Co-I), Karin Olson (Co-I), John Wei (Co-I).