In the case of prostate cancer patients, are there advantages in cancer nurse-led follow-up?

The role of cancer nurse specialist (CNS) has expanded reflecting rapid changes in the field of prostate cancer diagnostics, treatments and improved survival outcomes. Extended roles such as CNS-led follow-up are aimed at helping men and their families to cope better with the impact of the disease. Aim of this study is to compare medical with CNS-led follow-up by assessing the patient experience, quality of life and emotional wellbeing. Primary sources of research articles were searched on selected databases: MEDLINE (1995 to September 2015), EMBASE (1995 to September 2015) and CINAHL (1995 to September 2015). The Cochrane Collaboration Assessment of Bias Collaboration's tool was used and 10 of 11 studies were selected for data extraction. The process of meta-analysis was supported by the use of RevMen software version 5·1.7. Although there is some indication that the CNS-led follow-up is better, there is no statistically significant difference between medical and CNS-led follow-up. This review has found no statistically significant difference between medical and CNS-led follow-up. Therefore, it is proposed that CNS can offer a safe and effective follow-up for people with cancer, including men with prostate cancers.