The relationship between anxiety about prostate cancer among patients with biochemical cancer recurrence and the use of complementary and alternative medicines, diet, and exercise. Issue 2 (1st July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Richard T.; Hemmerich, Joshua A.; Kwon, Nancy; Bylow, Kathryn; Stadler, Walter M.; Mohile, Supriya G.; Dale, William
• Is Part Of: Family medicine and community health. Volume 5:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2017-07-01
• Subjects: Prostate cancer -- complementary and alternative medicine -- health behaviors -- anxiety; Family medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Family medicine; Public health; Family Practice; Community Health Services; General Practice; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodical; 610.5
• DOI: 10.15212/FMCH.2017.0129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2305-6983

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: We aimed to explore associations between anxiety and specific health behaviors such as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), diet, and exercise among prostate cancer patients. Methods: PCa patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study of men with biochemical cancer recurrence were surveyed about use of CAM, diet, and exercise. Anxiety was measured with the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC) and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Nearly 70% (44 of 67) of the original cohort of patients completed the supplementary CAM survey. The mean age was 68 years. Eighty percent of respondents reported engaging in a relevant health behavior, and 64% reported doing so in direct response to their PCa diagnosis. Overall, the most prevalent specific behaviors were exercising (56%), making dietary changes (50%), taking calcium supplements (41%), and taking vitamin D supplements (39%). Elevated baseline PCa-specific anxiety (MAX-PC score >16) after biochemical cancer recurrence was associated with use of any CAM ( P =0.01), use of herbs/supplements ( P =0.01), and dietary changes ( P =0.04). Conclusion: PCa patients commonly use CAM, dietary changes, and exercise in response to their diagnosis, and these changes are associated with elevated general and PCa-specific anxiety.