Work

Response to Lao, Guan, Wang, et al.

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We thank Dr Lao and colleagues (1) for their interest in our study on risks of depression, anxiety, and suicide in partners of men with prostate cancer. Our findings in a large national cohort show that partners of men with prostate cancer, particularly high-risk prostate cancer, have long-term increased risks of these adverse mental health outcomes. Mental health outcomes in partners of men with prostate cancer are important public health concerns that deserve further attention. Indeed, as the number of cancer survivors grows, the psychosocial impacts on their partners will have even greater public health importance in the future. We agree with Dr Lao and colleagues (1) that future studies are needed to confirm our findings and further elucidate the most susceptible subgroups. Such studies are challenging because they require linkages of data on cancer incidence, characteristics, and treatment among cancer patients as well as long-term mental health outcomes in their partners, which are rarely available in the United States or most countries. Future studies focused on the partners of men with prostate cancer are needed to guide psychosocial interventions and improve outcomes in this vulnerable population. No data were used in the writing of this letter. Casey Crump, MD, PhD (Conceptualization; Supervision; Writing—original draft; Writing—review & editing), Par Stattin, MD, PhD (Conceptualization; Supervision; Writing—review & editing), James D. Brooks, MD (Conceptualization; Writing—review & editing), Jan Sundquist, MD, PhD (Conceptualization; Writing—review & editing), Alexis C. Edwards, PhD (Conceptualization; Writing—review & editing), Kristina Sundquist, MD, PhD (Conceptualization; Supervision; Writing—review & editing), Weiva Sieh, MD, PhD (Conceptualization; Supervision; Writing—review & editing). This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute (R01 CA269553 to CC, KS, and WS) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01 AA027522 to AE and KS) at the National Institutes of Health, and the Swedish Research Council. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funding agencies had no role in study design or conduct; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; or in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.

Source: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute

DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djae033