Comparative Effectiveness of Psychosocial Protective Factors for Prostate Cancer Survivorship - A UK Biobank Study.

BACKGROUND

This study investigates psychosocial and lifestyle factors to improve survival outcomes in prostate cancer patients.

METHODS

From the UK Biobank cohort, 13,110 male prostate cancer subjects were analysed to examine the relationship between psychosocial and lifestyle factors and survival with a mean follow-up of 14.2 years from recruitment.

RESULTS

Participation in sports club or gym (HR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.74-0.91, p < 0.005), religious groups (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.94, p < 0.005) and other group activity (HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.97, p = 0.01) were associated with lower mortality risk in our analysis, after adjusting for age, deprivation and comorbidities, followed by. In contrast, neither the pub or social club nor the adult education class demonstrated a statistically significant survival benefit. A modest dose-response relationship between the number of social activities engaged in and mortality risk reduction is observed. There were no differential benefits in alcohol intake, while smoking demonstrated a graded risk increase in mortality (HR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.51-2.0, p < 0.005 in current smokers; HR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.1-1.32, p < 0.005 in previous smokers) compared to never smokers. Having close and frequent confidants (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.75-0.92, p < 0.005 for daily) also confers benefits to survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that participation in sports club or gym, engaging in religious groups and other group activities, forming good health habits such as smoking cessation, and having people to confide in regularly is associated with reduced mortality risk in prostate cancer patients. These findings highlight the importance of integrating psychosocial resilience, health behaviour optimisation, and spiritual engagement into survivorship care. The hierarchical risk reduction profile supports prioritising interventions targeting modifiable health behaviours, spiritual/social support, and group activities. While religious participation is associated with notable survival benefits, this study recognises the complex interplay of cultural, social, and personal factors influencing engagement in such activities. These findings advocate for stratified survivorship care models prioritising engagement modalities with dual physiological, psychosocial, and spiritual benefits.