Prostate Cancer Foundation Releases First National Report on Prostate Cancer Awareness
Posted: Thursday, October 11, 2018
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) recently released the results of its first national public awareness report about the risks, actions, and attitudes toward prostate cancer in the PCF 3P Report 2018: Public Perception of Prostate Cancer. The findings indicate that 69% of Americans surveyed lack a basic understanding about prostate cancer, with many believing symptoms actually exist for early-stage prostate cancer and so delaying visits to health-care providers.
The report noted that only 42% of men have discussed prostate cancer screening with their doctor, citing “exhibiting symptoms” as the top reason, followed by risk factors and recommendation. Racial minorities (particularly African American men), who are considered an at-risk group, are less likely to be screened than white men.
The most recent guidelines for prostate cancer screening recommend the decision to screen for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) be based on a shared clinical decision with a health-care provider. However, the PCF 3P Report indicates that this discussion is not taking place as often as it should due to a lack of awareness and reticence to the perceived intrusiveness of the tests. After citing the lack of symptoms for not discussing prostate cancer with their doctors, discomfort about an inspection of the prostate (14%) and a preference “not to know” (12%) were other reasons cited. It was revealed that 68% of men would be screened if they knew they could begin with a blood test.
Recently, it was reported that for the first time in 25 years, although death rates for all other cancers continue to decline, the death rate from prostate cancer has plateaued (based on data from 2013–2015), the PCF stated in a press release. This has led to speculation that it could be in part due to changes in screening, treatment, and prevention.
