title: Psychosocial aspects of active surveillance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the literature on psychosocial responses to active surveillance as well as educational and support strategies to promote adherence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are two prevalent responses among men undergoing active surveillance; anxiety and uncertainty. The education of a patient about low-risk prostate cancer as well as the inquiry by the physician into patient's priorities and goals with respect to their prostate cancer diagnosis provide opportunities to facilitate a collaborative relationship between the physician and the patient. Supplemental support services for men undergoing active surveillance, including support groups and Internet-based interventions continue to be researched in relation to their role in promoting adherence to active surveillance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Active surveillance continues to remain a highly valued management approach for men with early stage prostate cancer. However, it is suggested that the psychosocial burden of living with prostate cancer plays a substantial role in adherence to active surveillance and outcomes of men with the disease. Effective clinician education and counseling, as well as the referral for supplemental support services must be implemented and documented in future research studies and clinical practice.
authors: Fairfield University School of Nursing, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA. mkazer@fairfield.edu
authors: Meredith W
authors: MW
authors: Kazer
authors: Sarah P
authors: SP
authors: Psutka
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Latini
authors: Donald E
authors: DE
authors: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D018450:Disease Progression; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors; D035501:Uncertainty; D057832:Watchful Waiting