Elevating the Patient Voice: Understanding Treatment Preferences in Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer.

INTRODUCTION

With multiple oral medications currently available for patients with prostate cancer, there is a need to understand how patients' preferences and experiences are impacted by several factors including pill burden and dosing frequency. This study aimed to understand medication preferences from patients with advanced prostate cancer (APC).

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey of patients with APC living in the USA.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 100 patients with a median age of 65 years (range 35-79). Most patients were White (53%) with 31% Black and 15% Hispanic. Nearly half (48%) reported taking more than five pills per day and 50% reported taking more than three prescription medications per day. Nearly two-thirds (63%) reported difficulty remembering to take pills multiple times per day and 91% said they would choose a one-pill-once-daily option over a multi-pill regimen. Twenty-two (22%) patients had difficulty swallowing pills or were unsure. Of these 22, 21 (95%) considered it important that a pill can be dispersed in water or applesauce. Most patients (81%) had undergone chemotherapy previously and 80% reported taking oral medications for prostate cancer. Eighty-nine (89%) patients said they would prefer an oral treatment option compared to intravenous chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Most patients prefer a one-pill-once-daily regimen. Most patients prefer the option of an oral treatment regimen over intravenous chemotherapy. When discussing treatment options, providers should consider the individual patient's preferences and engage in shared decision-making.