Prostate cancer: a list of questions for 485,000 patients

A ‘toolkit’ to help men with prostate cancer find the right words during their consultation and to help clinicians respond to their questions. This is the ‘Question Card’, promoted by the Italian Society of Uro-Oncology (SIUrO) and the patient organisation Europa Uomo Italia, and presented in Rome at the Ministry of Health. The document is the result of collaboration between clinicians and patient representatives and brings together 30 questions covering the various stages of the treatment journey.

Patients can consult it before their appointment, identify the questions most relevant to their own situation and use them during the consultation, perhaps with the support of a family member or carer. The Guide helps patients to express their concerns, needs and personal priorities, and to understand the options available. According to the report ‘Cancer Statistics in Italy 2024’, there are 485,000 men living in Italia following a diagnosis of prostate cancer: a figure that includes people at different stages of their journey, even after treatment has concluded. The national project ‘La Carta delle Domande’ addresses these needs. Asking is an act of trust. Answering is an act of care. The document will be distributed in the urological oncology centres taking part in the first pilot scheme. The Charter is also available in digital format, and the project will feature information materials on social media, webinars and other awareness-raising initiatives. The aim is to build trust and foster shared decision-making through dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals.

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Italia: in 2024, there were an estimated 40,000 new diagnoses,” emphasises Rolando Maria D’Angelillo, president of SIUrO. It is a heterogeneous disease, requiring different management approaches depending on the characteristics of the tumour and the patient’s condition. Advances in diagnosis and treatment are enabling increasingly personalised care and, in advanced stages, have expanded the options for managing the disease. For many patients with low-risk cancer, active surveillance is recommended: a structured programme of check-ups that makes it possible to avoid or postpone unnecessary treatments and their side effects, whilst retaining the option to intervene should clinical indications arise. Understanding the alternatives, the expected benefits and the possible consequences is essential. The Charter helps to make the dialogue more informed and useful for decisions regarding the course of treatment.”

“During a consultation, a patient may have many questions but be unable to ask any of them: because they are feeling emotional, or because they find it difficult to make sense of the information or to find the right words,” emphasises Claudio Talmelli, President of Europa Uomo Italia –. “We want to help them voice their concerns and feel free to ask questions. These questions relate to the diagnosis and treatment options, but also to sexuality, continence, relationships and the possibility of maintaining their usual routines. These are factors that influence their decisions and must be addressed during the consultation. In the Charter, we have incorporated patients’ experiences, working alongside clinicians so that everyone can understand their own journey and express what matters most in their lives. Quality of life is part of care and must be taken into account in decisions right from the start.”

The report “Cancer Statistics in Italia 2024” states that the net five-year survival rate following diagnosis is 91 per cent. For those who have survived the first year after diagnosis, the probability of living for a further four years is 94 per cent. “These are encouraging figures, which must be interpreted whilst taking into account the different characteristics and stages of the disease,” conclude D’Angelillo and Talmelli. “Advances in diagnosis and treatment offer new opportunities, but quality of life must be assessed and safeguarded throughout the entire journey. This is why it is essential to ensure a multidisciplinary approach for every patient: urologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, psychologists, rehabilitation specialists and other professionals must collaborate according to the individual’s needs. Knowing whether one’s case has been discussed by a team is also an important question. With this project, we aim to help patients and clinicians discuss treatment options, the consequences of care and support needs. The opportunity to ask questions and receive clear answers is an essential part of the care relationship.”