Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with localized prostate cancer (PC) on active surveillance (AS) and whether it may be improved through lifestyle-focused interventions remain underdefined.

Objective

To assess longitudinal changes in HRQoL in patients who received and those who did not receive a behavioral intervention that increased vegetable intake.

Design, setting, and participants

A secondary analysis of participants in the Men's Eating and Living (MEAL) study (Cancer and Leukemia Group 70807 [Alliance]), a randomized trial of vegetable consumption in patients on AS, was conducted.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC), the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite 26 (EPIC-26), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-Prostate (FACT-P). Areas under the curves (AUCs) were used to summarize serial HRQoL.

Results and limitations

PROs were completed in 87% (n = 387) of the intention-to-collect population. Baseline characteristics of patients completing HRQoL measures did not differ significantly from the entire study population or between groups. Baseline scores were high for all PROs and remained stable over 24 mo, with no significant differences from baseline at any time point. In adjusted analyses, there were no significant differences in summary AUC measures comparing control with intervention for the total MAX-PC score (p = 0.173); EPIC-26 domains of urinary incontinence (p = 0.210), urinary obstruction (p = 0.062), bowel health (p = 0.607), sexual health (p = 0.398), and vitality (p = 0.363); and total FACT-P scores (p = 0.471).

Conclusions

Among men with localized PC on AS enrolled in a randomized trial, HRQoL was high across multiple domains at baseline, remained high during follow-up, and did not change in response to a behavioral intervention that increased vegetable intake.

Patient summary

Patients with localized prostate cancer enrolled on active surveillance experience minimal cancer-associated anxiety, suffer low levels of cancer-associated symptoms, and perceive high physical and emotional well-being.