Prostate cancer survivorship: lifestyle changes, much needed!

Approximately 2 million people in the UK are cancer survivors.1 Traditionally, prostate cancer services have focused on surveillance and monitoring for recurrence.2 According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer survivorship encompasses the ‘physical, psychosocial, and economic issues of cancer from diagnosis until the end of life’.3 Yet we as physicians consistently do not address these needs as part of prostate cancer follow-up. A survey conducted by the National Picker Institute of 70 breast cancer patients found that 87 per cent did not have a care plan, 34 per cent did not know what to expect at future appointments and 58 per cent found insufficient information and advice.4 Thirty-one per cent did not know whom to contact within daytime hours, and 74 per cent did not know whom to contact out of hours.4