Cancer-Related Identity in Prostate Cancer Survivors Over 75 Years Old

Strategic Insights -

Research has highlighted the enduring impact of prostate cancer on a man's identity, even years after diagnosis and treatment. A new study published in the journal BMC Geriatrics has shed light on the diverse cancer-related identities exhibited by prostate cancer survivors over the age of 75. The study, led by Matthias Jahnen and his team from Technical University Munich, explored the associations between cancer-related identity, clinical, psychological, and aging-related factors in this population.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 2,379 prostate cancer survivors with a mean age of 82.2 years and a mean follow-up of 17.9 years after radical prostatectomy participated in the study.
  • The most common cancer-related identity was "someone who has had cancer" (45.7%), followed by "patient" (27.0%).
  • Identification with negatively connoted cancer-related identities such as "cancer survivor" (15.7%) and "victim" (2.1%) was associated with aging-related factors like frailty, comorbidities, loneliness, and symptoms of depression.
  • Identification as a "cancer survivor" was associated with more self-reported comorbidities (OR: 1.09 [1.01 - 1.17]) and symptoms of depression (OR: 1.71 [1.20 - 2.45]).
  • Identification as a "victim" was associated with severe loneliness (OR: 5.09 [2.39 - 10.85]).
  • The positively connoted cancer-related identity "cancer conqueror" (9.5%) was associated with a higher quality of life (OR: 1.41 [1.28 - 1.57]).

Statistics:

  • 2,379 prostate cancer survivors with a mean age of 82.2 years and a mean follow-up of 17.9 years after radical prostatectomy participated in the study.
  • 45.7% identified as "someone who has had cancer".
  • 27.0% identified as "patient".
  • 15.7% identified as "cancer survivor".
  • 2.1% identified as "victim".
  • 9.5% identified as "cancer conqueror".

Sources:

  • Cancer-related identity and advanced old age - analysis of prostate cancer survivors after radical prostatectomy over the age of 75. BMC Geriatrics, 2025;25(1):759.
  • NewsRx. New Prostate Cancer Findings from Technical University Munich (TU Munich) Reported (Cancer-related identity and advanced old age - analysis of prostate cancer survivors after radical prostatectomy over the age of 75). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. October 25, 2025; p 1168.