Determining the supportive care needs, and distress, of Australian men with prostate cancer receiving hormone therapy: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate the self-reported, unmet supportive care needs of men on hormone therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer and to determine the levels of distress experienced by these patients. Methods: Patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, who are undergoing ADT as treatment for their disease, were invited to complete a series of questionnaires. Patients were recruited from private practices and public hospital settings. A letter explaining the study was sent to the patients by their treating physician. The Supportive Care Needs Survey and the Distress Thermometer were completed as a single time point assessment. Results: A total of 62 patients (mean age = 78 years) were enrolled in the study. The average number of years since starting hormone therapy was 4.7. Both patients receiving continuous ADT and intermittent therapy were recruited. Unmet Physical and Daily Living needs were reported by 8 (13%) patients and while 11 (18%) reported Psychological Needs. Unmet needs for the Sexuality domain were reported by 9 (15%) patients and Health Systems & Information Needs by 6 (10%). Significant levels of distress were reported by 16% of participants. Conclusions: While most of this small cohort of Australian men receiving ADT for their prostate cancer reported low levels of unmet needs across all domains, this study highlights ongoing Physical, Psychological and Sexuality needs for some participants. Improved identifying of patients with ongoing unmet needs and implementing strategies to better assist these patients could help improve quality of life.