Many Prostate Cancer Patients Get Mismatched Care
A study conducted by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, indicates more than one-third of men being treated for early prostate cancer may receive “mismatched” care that’s inappropriate based on their pre-existing health conditions.
Standardized treatment options for early prostate cancer include external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, prostatectomy, and watchful waiting. Each of these treatment methods comes with a different set of potential risks and benefits. Treatment mismatches occur when a form of treatment is chosen that may worsen symptoms associated with the patient’s previous history of urinary, bowel, or sexual function problems.
To investigate the frequency of mismatches, the researchers tracked 438 men receiving prostate cancer treatments at four treatment centers in the Boston area over a six-year period.
The team pointed out that the prevalence of mismatches could stem from patients choosing a therapy that’s not recommended because of personal reasons or physicians not being aware of the entire medical history. Holes in medical history commonly occur because patients are uncomfortable discussing certain pre-existing conditions with their physician due of the sensitive nature of the problems. These omissions mean important information is not taken into consideration when treatment methods are agreed upon. As the study’s leader explained,
“It would be that treatment choices are being determined by factors other than those we asked about, or patients may decide to go ahead with mismatched treatments for their own reasons. But it could also be that the open, frank conversations patients should have with their doctors aren’t taking place or that doctors aren’t making it clear to the patients why they should be forthright about urinary, bowel or sexual problems they are having.”
James A. Talcott, MD, SM
Director, Center for Outcomes Research
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
To help alleviate embarrassment and reduce mismatches, the study’s authors suggest healthcare providers supplement conversations with detailed questionnaires to encourage the patient to be more open about their pre-existing conditions.
Results of the study have been published in the online edition of the journal Cancer and will appear in their January 1, 2008, print edition.
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital News
Related Links: Harvard Medical School; ScienceDaily; associatedcontent.com; CBCnews; SeniorJournal.com; Reuters
Related Video: Robotic Assisted Prostatectomy at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital from OR-live.com
Related Podcast: Prostate Cancer PSA Test Podcast from DukeHealth.org
Tags: Boston University School of Public Health; incontinence; sexual problems; oncology; male cancers
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