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. 2021 Apr 21;3(1):e000068. doi: 10.1136/bmjsit-2020-000068

Table 2.

Themes related to men’s perceptions of partial gland ablation

Themes Summary Representative quotes
Psychological safety in low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer Most men described a feeling of psychological safety with having low-risk PCa, while some men expressed discomfort with the uncertainty associated with cancer diagnosis. “At first I was kind of shocked but … then found out it was on the low end of the scale, I felt better… I felt more in control of the thing.”
Preference for minimalism Most patients expressed preference for minimally invasive therapy when presented treatment options for their low-grade PCa. “I’m by and large a subscriber to taking a minimalist approach.”
The central role of the physician Many patients trusted and followed their urologists’ recommendations in the decision-making process. “If in the opinion of the treating physicians, the focal therapy is likely to be effective, I think that would be the most significant consideration.”
Intensity of treatment parallels disease severity Many patients described their decision to pursue active surveillance as a logical process whereby low-risk disease was appropriately managed by observation. “I wanted a treatment that was … like relative to the risk.”

PCa, prostate cancer.