ABSTRACT
Background: The screening of prostate cancer allows an earlier diagnosis, allowing more therapeutic options. This screening depends in part on spontaneous patients consultation, which is largely related to their educational level. Aim: To evaluate the association between educational level, knowledge of the disease, and prostatic screening. Material and methods: A questionnaire was applied to 377 men aged between 50 and 90 years to determine their educational level, knowledge of the disease, if they had any prostate screening and age at first screening. Data was analyzed with R Commander. Results: Eighty one percent of respondents had some knowledge of the disease and of these, 68% had prostate screenings compared with 34% of those without knowledge of the disease. Information about prostate cancer was reported by 71% and 96% of respondents with primary and university education, respectively. Fifty nine and 90% of respondents with primary and university education had prostate screenings performed, respectively. Conclusions: Those respondents with a prostate cancer screening had a better knowledge of the disease and a higher educational level.
Subject(s)
Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Early Detection of Cancer , Educational Status , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Age of Onset , Cross-Sectional Studies , Mass ScreeningABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN: El cáncer de próstata es la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer en hombres, al igual que en países desarrollados. A pesar de la alta prevalencia y mortalidad, no existen programas de amplia cobertura para detección precoz en la población masculina. OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia del tamizaje para cáncer de próstata en hombres de diversos centros de salud de Santiago de Chile. METODOLOGÍA: Encuesta dirigida a hombres mayores o igual de 40 años que consultaron a centros de salud por causas no urológicas. Se preguntó respecto a edad, realización de exámenes de detección de cáncer de próstata e inicio de controles para pesquisa. RESULTADOS: Respondieron a la encuesta 517 hombres, con una edad promedio de 59 años. Un 50,3 por ciento de los encuestados refirieron haber tenido control para detección de cáncer de próstata alguna vez en su vida. Se observó una mayor proporción de pacientes controlados en un centro de alto nivel socioeconómico de la ciudad, y de un Hospital, en comparación a otros 3 centros. La mayor parte de los controlados tenían más de 60 años, y sólo un tercio inició los controles antes de los 50 años. Finalmente, sólo un 50 por ciento de los controlados se habían realizado tanto medición de antígeno prostático específico como el examen digital rectal. CONCLUSIÓN: La cobertura del screening para cáncer de próstata es baja en la población masculina de Santiago de Chile. Además, la mayor parte de los pacientes inician los controles a edades tardías.
BACKGROUND: In Chile, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, similar to developed countries. Despite the high prevalence and mortality, there are no established screening programs for early detection. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of the prostate cancer screening method in different centers of Santiago. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to men 40 years or older to determine age, performing some prostate screening, age at first screening, and which type of screening has been performed. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 517 men, mean age 59 years. 50,3 percent reported had control for detection of prostate cancer at least one time in their life. A higher proportion of patient controlled was observed in a high socioeconomic center of the city and a hospital, compared to other 3 centers. Most of the controlled were over 60 years, and only one third of the controlled started before 50 age. Finally, only 50 percent had done prostate specific antigen plus digital rectal examination. CONCLUSION: The screening for prostate cancer is low in the male population of Santiago de Chile. Furthermore, most patients stars controls at later ages.