Themes related to men’s perceptions of partial gland ablation
Themes | Summary | Representative quotes |
Psychological safety in low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer | Most men described a feeling of psychological safety with having low-risk PCa, while some men expressed discomfort with the uncertainty associated with cancer diagnosis. | “At first I was kind of shocked but … then found out it was on the low end of the scale, I felt better… I felt more in control of the thing.” |
Preference for minimalism | Most patients expressed preference for minimally invasive therapy when presented treatment options for their low-grade PCa. | “I’m by and large a subscriber to taking a minimalist approach.” |
The central role of the physician | Many patients trusted and followed their urologists’ recommendations in the decision-making process. | “If in the opinion of the treating physicians, the focal therapy is likely to be effective, I think that would be the most significant consideration.” |
Intensity of treatment parallels disease severity | Many patients described their decision to pursue active surveillance as a logical process whereby low-risk disease was appropriately managed by observation. | “I wanted a treatment that was … like relative to the risk.” |
PCa, prostate cancer.