Teigen, A. (2023). Mindfulness for depression management in men with prostate cancer. JAAPA 36(3):p 28-31, March 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000911220.25098.91
Prostate cancer is a significant health concern globally, ranking as the second most common cancer according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In the United States, the CDC reports that it was the most common cancer in terms of new cases and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in 2019. Survivors of prostate cancer often experience various symptom domains such as sexual, urinary, vitality, bowel, and emotional issues. Managing these associated conditions, including depression, anxiety, and decreased quality of life, is crucial for improving outcomes and quality of life in this patient population.
The majority of studies of the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in cancer survivors have been done with women and particularly focusing on breast cancer. From the limited number of studies of men with prostate cancer findings support the potential benefits of MBIs in this population
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) emerged as the most used intervention in the selected studies. While many investigations on the efficacy of mindfulness interventions focused on female populations, there were promising outcomes for the use of mindfulness in managing psychosocial factors, especially depression and anxiety, in men with prostate cancer. Studies have shown that MBIs aligned with MBSR or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) protocols demonstrated higher efficacy compared to other interventions. The psychosocial effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact on patients, highlighting the importance of incorporating mindfulness practices to alleviate symptoms like depression and anxiety. Mindfulness can also help individuals cultivate self-compassion and resilience. Men with varying stages of prostate cancer, from early surveillance to advanced treatments like prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, have reported benefiting from MBIs, emphasizing the potential value of mindfulness in improving the psychosocial well-being of prostate cancer survivors.
