The prognostic role of cancer-specific beliefs among prostate cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between cancer-specific beliefs and survival among men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer.


METHODS
Based on data from a biracial cohort monitored for mortality for up to 15 years, we investigated the association between beliefs and survival among 251 men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1987 and 1990. We examined patients' beliefs related to efficacy of regular checkups for detection, potential negative treatment effects, and perceived curability of cancer. Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables, medical care measures, clinical factors, and lifestyle.


RESULTS
In a fully adjusted model, not believing that most cancers can be cured was associated with an increased risk of death from any cause (Hazard Ratio = 1.62; 95% confidence interval = 1.11, 2.38). Beliefs regarding the efficacy of checkups or potential negative treatment effects were not associated with survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Prostate cancer patients who reported not believing that most cancers are curable experienced poorer survival after adjusting for a wide array of prognostic factors and potential confounders. Future research to identify underlying behavioral (medical protocol adherence, lifestyle) and physiological (immune and endocrine regulation) mechanisms of this association would translate into improved intervention strategies for cancer survivors.
Department of Epidemiology, Public Health and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, FL 33136, USA. hsoler@med.miami.edu
Hosanna
H
Soler-Vilá
Robert
R
Dubrow
Vivian I
VI
Franco
Stanislav V
SV
Kasl
Beth A
BA
Jones
D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003469:Culture; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012923:Social Class; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*