Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
07:25
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Loneliness in prostate cancer survivors
Lukas Lunger1, Maximilian Schwoy2, Andreas Dinkel3
1Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. lukas.lunger@tum.de.
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
|June 14, 2026
Summary
Loneliness affects nearly 20% of prostate cancer survivors, impacting mental health. Maintaining a partnership and managing depression, anxiety, and frailty are key to reducing loneliness in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Loneliness negatively impacts cancer survivors' physical and mental health.
- Limited research exists on loneliness in prostate cancer (PC) survivors post-radical prostatectomy (RP).
- This study investigates loneliness prevalence and factors in long-term PC survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of loneliness in prostate cancer survivors.
- To identify factors associated with loneliness in this population.
- To understand the impact of loneliness on health-related quality of life and mental health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- 3127 PC survivors (mean age 79.5) completed questionnaires during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Loneliness assessed via single item measure; anxiety, depression, quality of life, and frailty via validated questionnaires.
- Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyzed loneliness prevalence and determinants.
Main Results:
- 16.6% of PC survivors reported loneliness.
- Loneliness associated with partnership status, depression, and anxiety.
- Partnership reduced loneliness risk (OR 0.18); depression (OR 1.49), anxiety (OR 1.29), and frailty (OR 3.97) increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Nearly one in five prostate cancer survivors experience loneliness.
- Loneliness is linked to partnership status, depression, anxiety, and frailty.
- Addressing loneliness is crucial for comprehensive prostate cancer survivorship care.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
01:20Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
01:28Menopause
Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...