Daniel George, MD, highlights survey of caregivers for patients with prostate cancer

In the following video, recorded at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, California, Daniel J. George, MD, discusses notable findings from a survey examining the experiences and unmet needs of caregivers supporting patients with metastatic prostate cancer.¹ George is a medical oncologist at Duke Cancer Center in Durham, North Carolina.

George explained that the survey was designed to address a gap in research regarding caregivers in this disease setting. The study included responses from 230 caregivers, of whom 54% were men. Approximately 65% of respondents lived with the patient they cared for, while the remaining caregivers provided support from outside the home. Participants included spouses as well as other relatives and close friends. The survey explored how caregivers engage in patient care, including whether they attend clinic visits, assist with navigating health insurance or treatment access, and check in with patients regularly about their health and daily needs.

Overall, the results showed that caregivers were highly involved in the care process, with 82% attending doctors’ appointments, 77% providing emotional support, 73% helping with medical management, and 67% participating in treatment decisions. According to George, these findings highlight the substantial role caregivers play in the day-to-day management of advanced prostate cancer and underscore their importance as partners in care.

A closer look at the data revealed differences in caregiving behaviors by gender. Although both male and female caregivers reported similar levels of physical help with daily tasks and logistical support, women were more likely to ask patients about issues such as medication adherence (83% of females vs 64% of males), mental health symptoms (82% vs 59%), and treatment-related side effects (77% vs 46%).

When asked whether they felt adequately informed and supported in their caregiving role, roughly 23% of respondents said they did not have sufficient information or resources. George noted that these findings suggest an unmet need for caregiver-focused education and support and indicate that tailored strategies may be necessary to address the distinct needs of male and female caregivers. He emphasized that normalizing conversations about mental health, treatment side effects, and medication adherence—particularly among male caregivers—could help improve communication and ultimately support better outcomes for patients.

REFERENCE

1. George DJ, Wilson G, Negi M, et al. Harnessing caregiver support to improve shared decision-making in metastatic prostate cancer treatment: A US-based quantitative survey. Presented at: 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. February 26-28, 2026. San Francisco, California. Abstract 131. https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/256567/abstract