Prostate Cancer Stress Surveillance and Survival (ProSeSS): evaluation of a fast-track clinical workup for men with suspected prostate cancer

Findings of increased myocardial infarction risk and suicide immediately following a prostate cancer diagnosis are likely to be reflecting the tip of the iceberg of psychological suffering experienced by newly diagnosed patients. Studies further suggest that the diagnostic work-up potentially leading up to a cancer diagnosis is another source of severe emotional stress, but the magnitude and consequences is unclear. The ProSeSS study includes men with suspected prostate cancer, recruited through the Urology Clinic in Örebro, and aims to systematically characterize and quantify the experience of stress and related physiological responses throughout the work-up process. In addition, stress parameters will be assessed in relation to tumour characteristics.