GOC researchers work together with Europa Uomo to assess patients' needs
Researchers from the German Oncology Center (GOC), under the lead of Prof. Dr. Constantinos Zamboglou, worked together with prostate cancer patient representatives from across Europe and the Board of Europa Uomo to assess the needs of elderly men with prostate cancer.
The consultation took place during the Europa Uomo General Assembly in May 2026 in Agia Napa, Cyprus. Europa Uomo is the European prostate cancer patient coalition, bringing together national patient representatives from across the continent. Using a structured questionnaire developed by the GOC research team together with Europa Uomo, 53 participants from 29 countries and regions — patients, caregivers and patient advocates — gave their views on what matters most in the treatment of older men with prostate cancer.
What patients told us
Quality of life comes first. Asked to rank four possible treatment goals for prostate cancer patients, respondents placed quality of life and physical independence clearly at the top, ahead of maximum life expectancy. Individualised risk assessment ranked second.
Hormone therapy carries the heaviest burden. Sexual dysfunction (55%) and fatigue and loss of energy (51%) were named as the most burdensome side effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), followed by muscle loss and physical weakness (38%).
Digital support is welcome — but not on its own. More than three quarters of respondents (77%) considered a digital supportive care tool useful for older prostate cancer patients, with the majority (57%) stressing that it must be combined with in-person support. Fewer than 4% rejected a digital format outright.
AI-guided treatment decisions find broad acceptance under one condition. 94% of respondents said they would be comfortable with artificial intelligence being used to analyse patient data and personalise treatment decisions. Two thirds (64%) attached the condition that a physician explains and confirms the result. Only one respondent expressed concern. As one participant from Spain put it, AI should complement the treating physician in the conversation with the patient rather than replace them.
From patient voices to a European research project
The findings are being integrated directly into a European research proposal that the GOC is preparing together with an international consortium of academic centres and Europa Uomo as a full partner. The project will be submitted to the EU Cancer Mission under the Horizon Europe call "Improve the quality of life of older cancer patients" (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-07).
The consultation results shape the proposal at its core: quality of life as the primary endpoint rather than survival alone, AI- and PSMA-PET-based selection of patients who may safely receive shorter hormone therapy, and a supportive care programme.
