Europa Uomo launches an important study investigating patient involvement in treatment decisions

Europa Uomo today launches an important new study looking into shared decision making in prostate cancer. Is it happening? Are patients happy with it? And is quality of life affected if it doesn’t happen properly.

The research project, named EU-PRESS (Europa Uomo Patient REported Shared decision making Study), will centre on an online survey – and Europa Uomo is asking for the involvement of all men who have consulted a doctor about treatment for prostate cancer since January 2022.

“The decisions made about prostate cancer treatment affect men’s length and quality of life – and men with prostate cancer and their partners should be closely involved in them,” says André Deschamps of Europa Uomo, who is coordinating the study.

“If there is proper shared decision making between doctors and patients, treatment and its aftermath can be much easier.  But if decisions are not shared, it can lead to worry, suffering and regret that the wrong decisions were made.”

Poor decision making can also lead to poorer quality of life after treatment. So the survey asks questions about respondents’ quality of life, as well as about the quality of conversation with doctors, to try and establish whether there are links between the two.

How you can help

If you have consulted with your doctor about treatment for prostate cancer since January 2022 (even if, in the end, you didn't receive treatment), we want you to tell us about your experiences of shared decision making by completing an online survey.

All responses will be anonymous. The information you provide will provide valuable data which will be analysed by researchers at Erasmus University, the Netherlands. The conclusion that they draw which will help Europa Uomo campaign for improvements, guide other patients in their interactions with doctors.

You can access the survey here.

You can find out more information here.

Please complete the survey by 31st December 2024.