title: Psychosocial trajectories of men monitoring prostate-specific antigen levels following surgery for prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the psychosocial trajectories of men treated surgically for prostate cancer after monitoring their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels until 24 months post-treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urology clinic at Duke University Health System.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 men diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men were interviewed in their homes at baseline and at 24 months and via telephone at 6, 12, and 18 months. Scores from the Profile of Mood States, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Self-Control Schedule, and Cantril's Ladder were entered into a database for analysis. Graphs of individual participants' scores were plotted.
  
  
  METHODS
  PSA values, mood state, cognitive reframing, impact of event, quality of life, illness uncertainty, and growth through uncertainty were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three trajectories were identified (i.e., stable, unstable, and mixed) and graphed using a typological or health pattern approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monitoring PSA levels is critical for men treated for prostate cancer. This study provides preliminary data on the psychological trajectories of men during the first 24 months postprostatectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rising PSA levels that are associated with the recurrence of disease can cause psychosocial distress among men with prostate cancer.
authors: School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC.
authors: Donald E
authors: DE
authors: Bailey
authors: School of Nursing, Fairfield University in Connecticut.
authors: Meredith
authors: M
authors: Wallace Kazer
authors: Division of Urology in the School of Medicine, Duke University.
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: Polascik
authors: Division of Urology in the School of Medicine, Duke University.
authors: Cary
authors: C
authors: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000097:blood*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: C549870:KLK3 protein, human; D007610:Kallikreins; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen
keywords: coping; prostate cancer; quality of life; survivorship