New Prostate Cancer Report Card keeps treatment options simple to understand

Shutterstock_2360554657
Every week, more than 400 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. [Source: Shutterstock]

With treatment, survival rates for prostate cancer are high, but understanding the treatment options and side effects can be confusing.

Now, a new prostate cancer resource – the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Report Card – hopes to make it easier for men and their families to better understand the treatment options and outcomes.

Created by a team of South Australian cancer researchers and specialists and led by the University of South Australia’s (UniSA) Doctor Kerri Beckmann, it breaks down different treatment types and evaluates survival rates, cancer recurrence, secondary treatments, and any impacts on urinary, bowel and sexual function.

Backed by research, the Report Card is based on real-life data from 8513 South Australian men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer (2008-2018). It has been developed in collaboration with a consumer advisory group, interviews with men affected by prostate cancer, a survey among the general public, and feedback from clinicians.

UniSA researcher, Doctor Tenaw Tiruye, says the new Report Card delivers clear, easy-to-understand and tailored information so that prostate cancer patients can make informed decision about their care.

“There are various treatment options available for men diagnosed with prostate cancer, each of which can have significant side effects on men’s physical functioning,” Dr Tiruye says.

“Patients need access to reliable, comprehensive, simple, and up-to-date information about the potential risks and benefits of each treatment to reduce any unrealistic expectations about treatment outcomes and possible regret over their decisions.

“Providing easy-to-understand, accessible information in a single consumer-oriented report will help men better understand the treatment options and shared decision making between patients and clinicians.

“A consumer-focussed approach to all aspects of prostate cancer care is essential.”

Flinders Professor Michael O’Callaghan says the study, based on valuable data from the SA Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative, will help “make better treatment decisions” in the future.

“This long-standing registry monitors how well people in SA fair after a diagnosis with prostate cancer.”

The Report Card was funded by The Hospital Research Foundation Group and enabled by data collected as part of the South Australian Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative (SA-PCCOC).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Australian Aged Care Leader Reflects On Industry at Global Conference

Braemar CEO Wayne Belcher spoke last week at the GCIC 2018 Conference on Integrated Care in Singapore. His topic explored where the Australian aged care industry may go next in its clinical governance responsibilities; twenty years on from the introduction of the Aged Care Act in 1997. His presentation followed a detailed essay penned by... Read More

New gift-giving platform wants to hear from more aged care homes

On Christmas Day, staff from Connect the 40% ventured out to aged care homes and delivered gifts to unsuspecting residents. What they caught on camera is nothing short of remarkable. Read More

Does Caring For Something Make You Live Longer?

Living a long and happy life is something that almost everyone aspires to, and it’s safe to say that in 2019 there is no shortage of people who are willing to charge you a fee to tell you how to make that happen. Super-foods, phone applications, wonder-drugs, and even happiness itself, have all been thrown... Read More
Advertisement