Daniel George, MD, on the importance of caregivers in metastatic prostate cancer care

Survey findings presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium underscore the central role caregivers play in the treatment journey for patients with metastatic prostate cancer, while highlighting persistent gaps in education, support resources, and access to care.¹

In the following video, Daniel J. George, MD, FASCO, emphasizes the importance of caregiver support and discusses ways that urologists can better incorporate caregivers in care conversations. George is a medical oncologist at Duke Cancer Center in Durham, North Carolina.

The survey included responses from 230 US caregivers. Most participants were primary caregivers and lived with the patient, with 82% attending doctor appointments, 77% providing emotional support, 76% participating in treatment decisions, and 73% helping manage medications. George emphasized that clinicians should recognize caregivers as a vital extension of the care team, serving as “eyes and ears” outside the clinic who can help identify issues that may otherwise go unaddressed.

George noted that urologists can more intentionally integrate caregivers into routine visits by actively welcoming their involvement and normalizing their role in front of patients. Doing so, he said, can help patients view caregiver participation not as a sign of weakness, but as an important part of navigating cancer care. He added that caregivers may help surface concerns patients are reluctant to discuss, including mental health struggles or treatment-related adverse effects. Among caregivers who attended appointments, 69% reported raising health concerns the patient would not have mentioned, 67% asked questions the patient had forgotten, and 49% initiated topics the patient felt uncomfortable bringing up.

At the same time, the survey showed notable unmet needs. Nearly one-quarter (23%) of caregivers said they did not feel adequately supported with resources to manage treatment, and 58% worried that the right resources for their loved one might not exist. George said the most urgent need is clear, practical information about therapies, expected adverse effects, symptom severity, and when to seek urgent medical attention. He added that nurses, pharmacists, and other multidisciplinary staff can play an important role in educating caregivers, helping them recognize concerning symptoms, support adherence, and ensure patients receive timely care.

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