The knowledge and attitude towards prostate cancer and screening practices among males in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Early-stage prostate cancer can be asymptomatic. The digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test are usually used for prostate cancer screening. This study aims to assess knowledge and attitudes towards prostate cancer screening among males in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on Saudi males above the age of 40. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed online. Results: A total of 368 males completed the questionnaire. In the studied group, 64.5% had heard about prostate cancer through social media (46.7%), the internet (40.1%), or healthcare providers (18.6%). In addition, around 20.3% of the participants had heard about the PSA screening test. Moreover, 55.2% of participants had an inadequate level of knowledge about prostate cancer and the PSA test, while 53.1% had a negative attitude. Conclusion: There was a poor level of knowledge and attitude towards screening for prostate cancer among males in Saudi Arabia. This could be due to the lack of education on the risks of prostate cancer by healthcare providers.

Prostate cancer knowledge and barriers to screening among men at risk in northern Tanzania: A community-based study

“…Family history, advanced age, and race/ethnicity (ie, African ancestry) are among the known risk factors for Pca [ 36 ]. Approximately one-half of participants (51.65 %) knew at least one risk factor for Pca; of these, 50 % identified advanced age as a risk factor, which is consistent with previous studies that noted significant awareness of age as a risk factor [ [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] ]. However, lower levels of awareness of advanced age as a risk factor have been found in Uganda and elsewhere [ 18 , 35 , 41 ].…”

“…Similarly, 35.1 % of South African men reported knowing that family history is a risk factor for Pca development [ 41 ]. In addition, Alothman et al, in a Saudi Arabian study, reported up to 46 % of participants had identified family history as a risk factor [ 40 ]. These finding contradict our present results, in which only 0.6 % and 0.9 % of participants identified genetic/familial factors and race respectively as risk factors.…”

“…The level of Pca knowledge differs among countries owing to differences in socioeconomic status, health care system standards, education levels, and health promotion services [17] . Even within the same country, the level of knowledge can differ from one region or tribe to another [ 17 , 29 , 40 ], with higher education level and socioeconomic status being associated with better knowledge [ 17 , 43 ].…”

“…Although mass media is the leading form of communication as a result of globalization and urbanization, information from these sources is often incorrect [ 40 ]. Hence, we were not surprised to find poor knowledge of Pca among our participants as a result of health care providers not fulfilling a key role in the provision of health education.…”

Knowledge and Awareness of Screening for Prostate Cancer Risk Factors and Symptoms Among the General Population in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia

“…The male genitalia includes a tiny accessory gland located close to the lower part of the bladder known as the prostate gland, which undergoes malignant changes in prostate cancer. Proteolytic enzymes are released by the prostate, which weighs around 20 g, into the sperm to aid in fertilization [1]. Prostate cancer presents with physical and psychological symptoms that distinguish it.…”