Study Finds Early Mental Health Support for Men Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

In a recent study published in the journal Psycho-oncology Mental health screenings must be incorporated in routine prostate cancer diagnoses. The call follows new research that shows men need more support both during and immediately after a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

It’s an important finding, not only highlighting the percentage of prostate cancer patients who seek mental health support, but notably, those who do not. Every year, more than 24,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, with up to 40% of patients considered at risk of mental distress.

Prostate cancer can significantly impact mental well-being, creating uncertainty and morbidity. This study described patterns of psychotropic medication and mental health service use, as a proxy measure for mental health problems, 5 years before and 5 years after prostate cancer diagnosis.

Population-based registry data was used and a total of 13,693 participants were evaluated. The researchers estimated the proportion and rates of psychotropic medication and mental health service use before and after diagnosis.

The results showed that fifteen percent of men commenced psychotropic medications and 6.4% sought out mental health services for the first time after diagnosis. Psychotropic medication use rose from 34.5% 5 years before to 40.3% 5 years after diagnosis, including an increase in the use of antidepressants (from 20.7% to 26.0%) and anxiolytics (from 11.3% to 12.8%). Mental health service use increased from 10.2% to 12.1%, with the increase mostly being general practice mental health visits. Multivariable analysis indicated a significant rise in medication and service utilization. immediately before and in the first 2 years following prostate cancer diagnosis.

Hence, it was observed that there is a clear increase in psychotropic medication use and mental health service use around the time of prostate cancer diagnosis. Mental health outcomes of men with prostate cancer may be improved with early mental health screening, particularly during the diagnosis process, to enable early intervention.

References: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer data in Australia. Accessed August 31, 2023. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/overview-of-cancer-in-australia-2023