The effect of ethnicity and sexual preference on prostate-cancer-related quality of life.

In general, patients with prostate cancer are able to maintain a relatively high quality of life (QOL), commonly reporting improvements in physical, emotional, and social functioning within 1 year of treatment. However, certain subpopulations of patients are susceptible to significant reductions in QOL during the course of their treatment. Data suggest that ethnic background and sexual preference both have significant effects on QOL for patients with prostate cancer. These parameters are often poorly documented and addressed by medical practitioners. Greater attention is needed to identify patients who are at increased risk of QOL reduction as a result of these factors.