Patient-Perceived Causes of Prostate Cancer: Result of an Internet Based Survey

Abstract Objective To assess the patient's perceived causes of PCa and relation to treatment satisfaction an internet based survey study was designed. Prostate cancer (PCa) is a profoundly personal disease considering the location and common sequelae of treatment. Deeply held patient self-perceptions regarding the etiology of a patient's PCa may generate lasting beliefs that impact satisfaction with treatment selection. Methods Third-party web-based surveys were sent to patients receiving radical prostatectomy for clinically localized PCa. Patients were queried regarding demographic characteristics, family history, socioeconomic status, sexual function, urinary control and factors believed to cause their PCa. Results Among respondents (293/524, 55.9%), 237 (81.5%) provided primary causes for PCa. Evidence-based answer was provided by 128 (53.5%) patients while 49 (20.5%) provided a wide range of non-evidence based responses. Forty patients (16.7%) were undecided, and 20 (8.3%) offered belief-based responses. Evidence based responses were more common in patients with a family history of PCa ( p