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Prostate cancer: how aware is the public?
Author(s) -
Patricia Fitzpatrick,
N.M. Corcoran,
John M. Fitzpatrick
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00685.x
Subject(s) - medicine , prostate cancer , attendance , family medicine , cancer , population , gynecology , environmental health , economics , economic growth
Objective To assess the public awareness of prostate cancer and willingness to seek medical attention for urinary symptoms, and to determine associated factors. Subjects and methods A community survey was conducted using a questionnaire administered by the interviewer to 280 randomly selected Irish men aged 40–69 years. Results A quarter of the men had not heard of prostate cancer; factors associated with having heard were nonmanual social class, living with a female partner and a history of treatment for urinary disease. Eighty per cent said they would be willing to attend a GP if they had urinary symptoms; associated factors were living with a female partner, having heard of prostate cancer and having seen a GP more than once in the preceding year. Just over half deemed attendance to be urgent/important; associated factors were having heard of prostate cancer, living with a female partner and having a relative with cancer. Having a General Medical Services card (a means‐tested medical card entitling the holder to free medical services) was negatively associated. Lower social class was negatively associated with routine questioning by a GP about urinary symptoms. Conclusions There is a marked social‐class gradient in knowledge and willingness to seek medical advice. In the absence of population screening, earlier clinical presentation with prostate cancer is essential if prognosis is to be improved; there is an evident need to improve prostate cancer awareness, particularly in the lower social classes, if this goal is to be achieved.