Comparison of prostate cancer patients with and without pain

This study investigated the reported pain experience and its relationship with depression and anxiety in men with prostate cancer. Forty-seven ambulatory outpatients with prostate cancer completed the self-report measures of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results showed that 80% of the sample were in the non-metastatic stage of the prostate cancer and 43% reported experiencing pain. Only one-fifth reported any depressive symptomatology. Patients with pain were significantly more depressed or anxious when compared with patients without pain. Patients with pain also took more prescribed analgesics and were at a later stage of disease. It is suggested that health workers treating prostate cancer patients with pain may have to take into account their psychological problems.