Association of psychosocial health and lifestyle with prognosis after treatment for testicular cancer

A multicenter study in Norway evaluated wether modifiable adverse health outcomes (AHOs) such as low socioeconomics, unhealthy lifestyle, or probable depressive disorder increase long-term testicular cancer survivors’ (TSCs) risk of second cancer and overall and cancer mortality. Compared with TSCs not reporting any of the above three AHOs, the risk of 20-year overall mortality was almost doubled in TSCs with one or two AHOs, and was eight-fold increased in those reporting all three AHOs. Depressive disorder, age, and 4 or more cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy were significantly associated with worse overall and cancer mortality. There were no associations of AHOs with risk of second cancer. The authors conclude that health professionals and the TCSs themselves should aim efforst at improving socioeconomics, supporting a healthy lifestyle, and evaluating and treating depression.