Private MD News

Stress management before surgery may improve outcome for prostate patients

Category: Prostate

Men who have received positive PSA tests and are about to undergo treatment for prostate cancer may feel very stressed. Treatments associated with the condition can often cause serious side effects, and this frequently leads to anxiety and depression. However, using stress management techniques may help mitigate these emotional disturbances, according to a new study from the University of Texas.

Eliminating depression associated with prostate cancer surgery may help mitigate the impact of the side effects that come along with treatment. This could lead to an improved quality of life and better overall outcomes, the researchers said.

For the study, the researchers assigned a group of 159 men who were about to undergo prostatectomy surgery to receive either standard preoperative care or a stress management program. Following surgery, men in the stress management group reported far fewer emotional disturbances.

Additionally, these participants had lower markers of inflammation, which often accompanies a return of cancer. Immune health was much stronger in these men.

"Both the physical and psychological stress of surgery can be harmful to the immune system. Even brief pre-surgery sessions of stress management positively impact on the recovery process," said Lorenzo Cohen, who led the study.