Body image in patients with prostate cancer undergoing treatment with hormone therapy: Observational study using both a cross-sectional and longitudinal design

• Published in: Journal of health psychology Vol. 29; no. 9; pp. 921 - 934
• Main Authors: Chen, Pei-Yi, Liu, Kuan-Lin, Chuang, Cheng-Keng, Wu, Chun-Te, Pang, See-Tong, Chang, Ying-Hsu, Yu, Kai-Jie, Chien, Ching-Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-08-2024; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Body image; Coping strategies; Discontent; Hormone replacement therapy; Hospitals; Newly diagnosed; Observational studies; Outpatient departments; Prostate; Prostate cancer; Psychological distress; Self-efficacy; Side effects; Urology; symptoms; prostate cancer; body image; hormone therapy; self-efficacy
• ISSN: 1359-1053; 1461-7277; 1461-7277
• DOI: 10.1177/13591053231223930

This study aims to examine changes in body image (BI) over time and factors related to BI among patients with prostate cancer who receive hormone therapy (HT). A cross-sectional design and longitudinal design were utilized. Patients with prostate cancer who received HT were recruited from the urology outpatient departments in two hospitals in Taiwan between August 2017 and December 2020. Cross-sectional data were collected from 177 patients who had started HT for prostate cancer. Longitudinal data were collected from 34 newly diagnosed patients before receiving HT and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after HT. The variables measured included hormonal symptoms and distress, self-efficacy, and BI. The results showed that BI dissatisfaction ranged from 6.1% to 17.2%. Hormonal symptoms and distress (e.g. lack of vitality) were correlated with BI dissatisfaction. Education on the side effects of HT and coping strategies can be provided to patients to prevent BI dissatisfaction.