New Challenges in Psycho-Oncology Research III : A systematic review of psychological interventions for prostate cancer survivors and their partners : Clinical and research implications

[Extract] The medical and social context of prostate cancer (PCa) has changed dramatically since the introduction of PSA testing for early detection in the late 1980s,¹ leading to a peak in incidence in the developed world in the 1990s and again a decade later.² Since that time, novel PCa treatments have rapidly emerged in the radiation and medical oncology field, as well as surgical advances.³ The recent emergence of active surveillance for low-risk disease has further expanded possible treatment approaches.⁴ Market forces from consumers, clinicians, and the therapeutic industry have driven changes in clinical and surgical management and treatment; however, psycho-oncological research and survivorship care arguably has lagged behind. Specifically, although men are surviving longer, they may not be surviving well. In 2012, there were over 1.1 million incident cases of PCa diagnosed and more than 300 000 deaths worldwide.⁵ Five-year prevalence estimates suggest that there are over 3.8 million PCa survivors globally⁶ with this expected to increase rapidly in future.⁷ The challenges we face in meeting the needs of these men and their families into the future are vast.