Purpose: Prostate cancer incidence, treatment and survival rates vary throughout the United Kingdom (UK) but little is known about regional differences in quality of survival. Objective: To investigate variations in patient-reported outcomes between UK countries and English Cancer Alliances. Design, setting and participants: A cross-sectional postal survey of prostate cancer survivors diagnosed 18-42 months previously. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Urinary, bowel, sexual problems and vitality were patient reported using the EPIC-26 questionnaire. General health was also self-assessed. Regional variations were identified using multivariable log-linear regression. Results and limitations: 35,823 men responded; 60.8% of those invited. Self-assessed health was significantly lower than the UK average in Wales and Scotland. Respondents reported more urinary incontinence in Scotland, more urinary irritation/obstruction in Scotland and Northern Ireland (NI), poorer bowel function in Scotland and NI, worse sexual function in Scotland, and reduced vitality/hormonal function in Scotland, Wales and NI. Self-assessed health was poorer than the English average in South Yorkshire and North-East & Cumbria, with more urinary incontinence in North-East & Cumbria and Peninsula, greater sexual problems in West Midlands and poorer vitality in North-East & Cumbria and West Midlands. Limitations include difficulty identifying clinically significant differences and limited information on pre-treatment conditions. Conclusions: Despite adjustment for treatment, clinical and socio-demographic factors, quality of survival among prostate cancer survivors varied by area of residence. Adoption of best practice from areas performing well could support enhanced survival quality in poorer performing areas, particularly with regards bowel problems and vitality, where clinically relevant differences were reported. Patient summary: We conducted a UK-wide survey of patient’s quality of life after treatment for prostate cancer. Outcomes were found to vary depending upon where patients live. Different service providers need to ensure that all prostate cancer patients receive the same follow up care.
Donnelly, David W.Gavin, AnnaDowning, AmyHounsome, LukeKearney, ThereseMcNair, EmmaAllan, DawnHuws, Dyfed W.Wright, PennySelby, Peter J.Kind, PaulWatson, EilaWagland, RichardWilding, SarahButcher, HughMottram, RebeccaAllen, MajorieMcSorley, OonaghSharp, LindaMason, Malcolm D.Cross, William R.Catto, James W.F.Glaser, Adam W.
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences\Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery\Department of Nursing
Year of publication: 2019Date of RADAR deposit: 2019-04-15