Presently, few studies have examined the impact of positive thinking on the HRQoL of prostate cancer patients who receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).
We explored the factors that affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly positive thinking, of prostate cancer patients who receive ADT.
A cross-sectional design was used. A total of 132 prostate cancer patients, drawn from outpatient clinics of 2 medical centers, who were receiving ADT were included. Structured questionnaires, including a basic information sheet, the Positive Thinking Scale, Social Support Scale, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), were used for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed by using independent-sample t tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression.
Prostate cancer patients who were receiving ADT were more likely to engage in positive thinking, which was correlated with better social/family well-being, emotional well-being, functional well-being, prostate cancer concern, and a higher score on the FACT-P. Improved self-reported health status was correlated better with all subdimensions of HRQoL and better scores on the FACT-P. Greater social support was correlated with high social/family well-being.
Positive thinking, self-reported health status, and social support are important associated factors of HRQoL in prostate cancer patients who receive ADT.
Oncology nurses can improve HRQoL by improving positive thinking, self-reported health status, and social support of prostate cancer patients who receive ADT.
Cancer nursing. 2019 Oct 18 [Epub ahead of print]
Ching-Hui Chien, Cheng-Keng Chuang, Kuan-Lin Liu, Chun-Te Wu, See-Tong Pang, Ying-Hsu Chang
Author Affiliations: College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei (Dr Chien); Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou (Drs Chuang, Pang, and Chang); Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Keelung (Drs Liu and Wu); and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan (Drs Chuang, Wu, Pang, and Chang), Taiwan, Republic of China.