Body image and quality of life in men with prostate cancer.

Each of the successful treatment options for men with prostate cancer is accompanied by its unique side effect profile. However, treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and the resulting castrate level of testosterone lead to profound changes in one's physical appearance. The goal of this descriptive study was to describe the relationship between changes in body image and quality of life (QOL) among prostate cancer survivors based upon whether or not treatment was with ADT. A convenience sample of 132 men (aged > or =60 years) with prostate cancer were recruited from the oncology and urology outpatient departments at an urban Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The participants completed 2 established questionnaires, the Body Image Scale and the Quality of Life Index-Cancer Version. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis. There was no difference in QOL based on ADT. There was a significant negative correlation between body image dissatisfaction and QOL. The findings add to our knowledge regarding body image and QOL among men with prostate cancer, provide a foundation for future research endeavors, and support the development of evidence-based interventions to mitigate body image dissatisfaction.