Background: Prostate cancer and its treatment may impact physically, psychologically and
socially; affecting the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of men and their partners/spouses.
The Life After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis (LAPCD) study is a UK-wide patient-reported
outcomes study which will generate information to improve the health and well-being of men
with prostate cancer.
Methods and analysis: Postal surveys will be sent to prostate cancer survivors (18-42
months post-diagnosis) in all four UK countries (n=~70,000). Eligible men will be identified
and/or verified through cancer registration systems. Men will be surveyed twice, 12 months
apart, to explore changes in outcomes over time. Second separate cohorts will be surveyed
once and the design will include evaluation of the acceptability of online survey tools. A
comprehensive Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) has been developed using
generic and specific instruments with proven psychometric properties and relevance in
national and international studies. The outcome data will be linked with administrative health
data (e.g. treatment information from hospital data). To ensure detailed understanding of
issues of importance, qualitative interviews will be undertaken with a sample of men who
complete the survey across the UK (n=~150) along with a small number of partners/spouses
(n=~30).
Ethics and dissemination: The study has received the following approvals: Newcastle &
North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee (15/NE/0036), Health Research Authority
Confidentiality Advisory Group (15/CAG/0110), NHS Scotland Public Benefit and Privacy
Panel (0516-0364), Office of Research Ethics Northern Ireland (16/NI/0073) and NHS R&D
approval from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Using traditional and innovative
methods, the results will be made available to men and their partners/spouses, the funders,
the NHS, social care, voluntary sector organisations and other researchers.