Choose wisely: therapeutic decisions and quality of life in patients with prostate cancer.
A diagnosis of localized prostate cancer propels patients and their partners into the complex realm of decision making. The decision-making process and final choice of treatment affect quality of life (QOL). Physical, social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of QOL all can be impacted. Making a choice regarding cancer treatment is a high-risk decision. The decision-making process for localized prostate cancer is complicated further by a lack of scientific evidence that supports one treatment rather than another.
O'Rourke
Maureen E
ME
School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, USA. meorourk@uncg.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome