Thursday 19th September 2013
A survey conducted earlier this year has highlighted the need to raise awareness of prostate cancer symptoms.
The survey was carried out in February by the Macmillan Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Libraries Cancer Information and Support Project.1 It questioned 84 adults (male and female) about their knowledge of prostate cancer symptoms, and the reasons why they might not report anything that could potentially be a cancer symptom to their GP.
Of those who took part, 56% were not aware of any of the symptoms of prostate cancer. Nearly a quarter (24%) could identify one cancer symptom, while 17% could identify two. Just 3% knew three symptoms, the maximum number identified out of a possible seven.
Participants were also asked about reasons why they might not report anything that may be a cancer symptom to their GP. The reasons given included uncertainty about symptoms (76%), embarrassment (60%) and worries about wasting their GP’s time (43%).
The survey followed on from a wider study by the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP). In 2011 the ICBP questioned 2,000 people in Wales about their knowledge of cancer symptoms and barriers to visiting their GPs. The results, published in January2, showed:
- 15% said that being too embarrassed would put them off
- 33% of people were worried about wasting their GP’s time and said they might avoid making an appointment for this reason
- more than 90% were unaware that 70 year olds are at greater risk of getting any type of cancer than younger people.
The Macmillan RCT Libraries Cancer Information and Support Project is a partnership between Macmillan and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. It was launched in 2009 to provide cancer information in libraries.
Prostate cancer symptoms and the PSA test - video
Email Karen Langworthy.
1. A study of prostate cancer awareness in RCT and barriers that might delay people visiting their GPs with symptoms indicative of cancer. Macmillan RCT Libraries Cancer Information and Support Project. 2013
2. L Forbes et al. Differences in cancer awareness and beliefs between Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK (the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership): do they contribute to differences in cancer survival? British Journal of cancer. 2013. 108:292–30
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