Prostate Cancer Awareness, Knowledge, and Screening Practices among Older Men in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer among Nigerian men. This study assessed the knowledge, awareness, and screening practices among older men regarding prostate cancer in Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study used a multi-stage sampling technique to select 561 adult males. A semi-structured questionnaire was used. Respondents' median age is 60.0 years. Prostate cancer awareness was high [449 (80.0%)]. The overall mean knowledge of prostate cancer causation, treatment, and prevention was 5.8 (±3.0) out of a maximum of 16. Only 109 (19.4%) perceived themselves at risk of developing prostate cancer, but only 4.5% have ever been screened. Though knowledge and risk perception of prostate cancer were low, a majority of respondents (81.5%) were willing to be screened for the disease. Community-based prostate cancer educational interventions and provision of screening centers are needed for this group.