Gay Men More Vulnerable To Quality Of Life Impacts Following Prostate Cancer

Gay men who have undergone treatment for prostate cancer reported lower health-related quality of life scores compared to data from more generalized populations in other published research, according to a new study being presented during the 106th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA).

In the study, 92 gay men from both the United States and Canada completed a cross-sectional Internet-based survey that included the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index (EPIC) and the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire Short-Form, as well as questions relating to fear of cancer recurrence. Gay men, compared to normative data from more generalized populations, reported statistically significant worse functioning and more severe bother scores on the EPIC urinary, bowel, and hormonal symptom scales, and also reported worse EPIC sexual and ejaculatory functioning scores, as well as significantly worse mental health functioning and higher fear of cancer recurrence.

"This is one of the early studies demonstrating that quality of life is more significantly impacted by prostate cancer in the gay population," said Tomas L. Griebling, MD, MPH, the AUA spokesman who moderated the briefing. "More research is needed to determine what steps we can take to diminish these impacts."

Source:
American Urological Association