Dr Agarwal on QOL Considerations for Patients With Prostate Cancer

Neeraj Agarwal, FASCO, MD, professor of medicine, Presidential Endowed Chair of Cancer Research, director, the Genitourinary Oncology Program, the Center of Investigational Therapeutics, the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), University of Utah, discusses quality of life (QOL) considerations for patients with prostate cancer.

Currently, QOL evaluations rely on standardized questionnaires that have been validated and utilized across numerous clinical trials, Agarwal begins. However, like any tool, these questionnaires are not flawless, and there is always room for enhancement, he says. From his perspective, the conventional method of administering QOL assessments during clinic visits may not capture adverseeffects that occur 7 days post-visit and dissipate 7 days prior to the next visit, Agarwal explains, adding that this limitation highlights the need for improvements in QOL assessments to better capture the full scope of toxicities a patient may be experiencing.

One potential solution lies in providing patients with electronic devices to monitor and input their QOL data daily from home, he expands. This approach would offer a more accurate reflection of patients' perceptions of their QOL, capturing fluctuations that may not be captured during periodic clinic visits, Agarwal elucidates. By enabling patients to complete electronic questionnaires at home, data can be gathered more regularly, providing a comprehensive understanding of their QOL over time, he says.

Furthermore, existing QOL questionnaires need to be simplified, as many patients find them excessively lengthy and time-consuming, he continues. Simplification of these tools would enhance patient compliance and engagement, ultimately improving the effectiveness of these assessments, Agarwal shares. Although QOL questionnaires serve as valuable instruments in health-care, they are not without limitations, he adds. By embracing technological advancements and streamlining questionnaire formats, it is possible to refine the process of assessing QOL and ensure that it accurately reflects patients' experiences and perceptions. Continuous improvement in this area is essential, Agarwal concludes.