The relationship between anxiety about prostate cancer among patients with biochemical cancer recurrence and the use of complementary and alternative medicines,diet,and exercise

Objective:We aimed to explore associations between anxiety and specific health behaviors such as complementary and alternative medicine(CAM),diet,and exercise among prostate cancer patients.Methods:PCa patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study of men with biochemical cancer recurrence were surveyed about use of CAM,diet,and exercise.Anxiety was measured with the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer(MAX-PC)and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.Results:Nearly 70%(44 of 67)of the original cohort of patients completed the supplementary CAM survey.The mean age was 68 years.Eighty percent of respondents reported engaging in a rel-evant health behavior,and 64%reported doing so in direct response to their PCa diagnosis.Overall,the most prevalent specific behaviors were exercising(56%),making dietary changes(50%),taking calcium supplements(41%),and taking vitamin D supplements(39%).Elevated baseline PCa-specific anxiety(MAX-PC score>16)after biochemical cancer recurrence was associated with use of any CAM(P=0.01),use of herbs/supplements(P=0.01),and dietary changes(P=0.04).Conclusion:PCa patients commonly use CAM,dietary changes,and exercise in response to their diagnosis,and these changes are associated with elevated general and PCa-specific anxiety.