Abstract
Objectives. Latvia had the highest prostate cancer death rate in the EU in 2017. From 2021 statefunded screening is available for men 50–75, earlier screening for those with family history. Study aims to examine men’s knowledge and factors influencing their response.
Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study on men aged 45-75 was conducted from May to November 2022. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS.
Results. The study analyzed 143 men in Latvia, with a mean age of 60.4 (± 9.4) years. Most men (61.5%) knew about the prostate cancer screening program at their Family Doctor’s practice, but education level significantly affected knowledge of availability (p = 0,009).Only 19.6% of respondents knew at what age men could participate in the program if there was no positive family history, and only 16.8% knew up to what age the screening is carried out. Most (55.2%) respondents had not previously participated in the program, with higher education levels participating more often than those with basic education (p = 0,004). Among those who had not participated in the program, most (56.9%) were not informed about it by their doctor, but 64.4% would not participate even if informed, citing lack of trust in thresults, lack of concern about prostate cancer, and concern about the procedure. However, 90% of men without a positive family history and under 50 years old would like to participate in the screening. Among those who had undergone the screening, 71.9% would repeat it, while 28.1% would not, citing minor concern about prostate cancer and lack of trust in the results as the main reasons.
Conclusions. Study shows low prostate cancer screening knowledge and link to education level. Many respondents not informed by doctors and wouldn’t participate even if informed. Reasons included lack of trust in results and concerns about procedure.
Keywords. State-funded screening; Prostate cancer; Knowledge of prostate cancer screening
Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study on men aged 45-75 was conducted from May to November 2022. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS.
Results. The study analyzed 143 men in Latvia, with a mean age of 60.4 (± 9.4) years. Most men (61.5%) knew about the prostate cancer screening program at their Family Doctor’s practice, but education level significantly affected knowledge of availability (p = 0,009).Only 19.6% of respondents knew at what age men could participate in the program if there was no positive family history, and only 16.8% knew up to what age the screening is carried out. Most (55.2%) respondents had not previously participated in the program, with higher education levels participating more often than those with basic education (p = 0,004). Among those who had not participated in the program, most (56.9%) were not informed about it by their doctor, but 64.4% would not participate even if informed, citing lack of trust in thresults, lack of concern about prostate cancer, and concern about the procedure. However, 90% of men without a positive family history and under 50 years old would like to participate in the screening. Among those who had undergone the screening, 71.9% would repeat it, while 28.1% would not, citing minor concern about prostate cancer and lack of trust in the results as the main reasons.
Conclusions. Study shows low prostate cancer screening knowledge and link to education level. Many respondents not informed by doctors and wouldn’t participate even if informed. Reasons included lack of trust in results and concerns about procedure.
Keywords. State-funded screening; Prostate cancer; Knowledge of prostate cancer screening
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 737 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Medicina (Kaunas) |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | Suppl.2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Keywords*
- State-funded screening
- Prostate cancer
- Knowledge of prostate cancer screening
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
