UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: Carcinoma of the prostate (CaP) is the most common male malignancy in Nigeria, and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the level of awareness about CaP and its early detection and treatment in adult men in a native community in Nigeria.

Methods: As part of a larger IRB-approved CaP screening study, a community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among men aged 40 years and above in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information about their knowledge of (CaP), its risk factors and methods of early detection. The answers were collated and analyzed using SPSS v 11 statistical package.

Results: Five hundred and forty-six men were recruited into the study with 88.5% being aged between 50 – 79 years, whilst 86.5%)had at least primary school education. One hundred and seventy-two men (31.5%) had heard of (CaP), but only 32 (18.6%) thought the disease was a major cause of morbidity. Knowledge of the disease increased with educational level, age and regular medical examinations, but this increase was not statistically significant. Only 18.6%, 16.4% and 7.6% knew that older age, family history and the black race respectively were associated risk factors, and only 35% thought (CaP) could be detected and treated early. Furthermore, only 27.9% and 26.7% had had a rectal examination and a PSA test done respectively at any time in the past.

Conclusion: Knowledge about CaP, its risk factors, early detection and treatment in men over 40 years in Southwestern Nigeria is low