Sleep disturbances are underappreciated in prostate cancer survivorship

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of sleep disturbances among prostate cancer (PCa) survivors, and extent of urologist involvement in sleep care are not well-studied. METHODS: PCa survivors 167) and urologists (n = 145) were surveyed about sleep disturbances and survivorship care practices. RESULTS: Most PCa survivors had sleep disturbances, including 50.9% with poor sleep quality, 18.0% with clinical/severe insomnia, and 36.5% at high-risk for sleep apnea. Few urologists routinely screened for sleep disturbances, as recommended in national cancer survivorship guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal PCa survivorship care should incorporate screening for sleep disturbances, addressing comorbid factors affecting sleep and referring to sleep medicine when appropriate.

Automated summary

This study investigated the prevalence of sleep disturbances among prostate cancer survivors and the involvement of urologists in sleep care. The results showed that most prostate cancer survivors experienced sleep disturbances, including poor sleep quality, clinical/severe insomnia, and high-risk for sleep apnea. However, few urologists routinely screened for sleep disturbances as recommended in national cancer survivorship guidelines.