Psychosocial and Patient Education Needs of Prostate Cancer Patients Selecting Watchful Waiting

Psychosocial and Patient Education Needs of Prostate Cancer Patients Selecting Watchful Waiting

This study includes an interview with men who have selected "watchful waiting" or "active surveillance" for their localized prostate cancer, in lieu of active treatment (such as surgery or radiation). We hope to understand the educational and support needs of men on surveillance so that we can develop a new intervention that will improve quality of life for such men.

Interviews are conducted over the telephone and require approximately 90 minutes to complete. Men interviewed are compensated for their participation in the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1) male,
• 2) 18 years or older, with biopsy-proven prostate cancer,
• 3) diagnosed with localized disease within the last 24 months,
• 4) have a telephone at the time of enrollment,
• 5) have an address where they can receive study materials by mail (a street address or post office box),
• 6) able to speak and understand English;
• 7) have selected surveillance, rather than active treatment for his prostate cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1) female
• 2) no diagnosis of localized prostate cancer
• 3) completed or undergoing active treatment (e.g., surgery, radiotherapy, etc.)
• 4) no phone or US mail address
• 5) unwilling or unable to provide informed consent
• 6) unable to speak and understand English