Prostate cancer: how assessment of QoL can improve delivery of care

Abstract

Prostate cancer treatments often affect quality of life and problems may present themselves at any point both during and post treatment. Measuring and identifying quality of life issues may create an opportunity for a patient to discuss problems and induce information transfer from healthcare professional to patient and conversely, from patient to healthcare professional. Treatment for the disease can have a dramatic effect on lifestyle. Therefore, I suggest that quality of life should be assessed to enable the healthcare professional to provide a more holistic approach to patient care. Utilising a quality of life assessment tool may promote and enhance the current service provision and aid identification of bothersome side effects. In addition it may provide a basis for further research and audit. With the emphasis on quality of service for cancer patients (National Health Service Improvement 2009, Department of Health 2000 Department of Health (DH) 2007a), we should examine our practice and the quality of the service we deliver. Addressing quality of life issues for the patient with cancer is a priority.