Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: Self-Reported Knowledge and Attitude of Physicians in Jordan

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PC) screening aims to detect PC in early stages, amenable to curative treatment and reduction in disease morbidity and mortality. However, PC screening may be associated with overdiagnosis and complications of unnecessary treatment for indolent disease. Therefore, careful patient selection for PC screening is critical to avoid overestimation and missed diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess physicians’ knowledge and attitude towards early detection of PC in Jordan and whether their knowledge is an important predictor of their attitude. An electronic, self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, knowledge, and attitude of physicians regarding early detection of PC. The participants’ responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. Around 296 physicians agreed to participate in this study. Most respondents were males (75.7%), residents (34%), practiced medicine more than 15 years (29%) and graduated (81.4%) from local universities. Surprisingly, only 28.4% recognized PC as a non-self-detected disease and less than one-half (48.6%) were aware that PC screening tests are not enough to exclude a diagnosis of PC. The median knowledge Percent of Maximum Possible (POMP) score was 59%. Around two-thirds of participants showed a positive attitude towards early detection of PC (median attitude POMP score was 66%). Higher attitude scores were significantly associated with younger age, those working in private hospitals, and those having higher knowledge POMP score ( P < .05). This study highlighted that most physicians demonstrated a positive attitude towards PC screening but with moderate level of knowledge that is considered an important predictor of their attitude towards PC early detection. Thus, improving knowledge and awareness of physicians should be considered as a strategy to improve their attitude towards prostate screening practices and informing men of the importance of regular screening.

Prostate cancer knowledge and barriers to screening among men at risk in northern Tanzania: A community-based study

“…Family history, advanced age, and race/ethnicity (ie, African ancestry) are among the known risk factors for Pca [ 36 ]. Approximately one-half of participants (51.65 %) knew at least one risk factor for Pca; of these, 50 % identified advanced age as a risk factor, which is consistent with previous studies that noted significant awareness of age as a risk factor [ [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] ]. However, lower levels of awareness of advanced age as a risk factor have been found in Uganda and elsewhere [ 18 , 35 , 41 ].…”

“…Alqudah et al, in their study of clinicians in Jordan, reported that approximately 76 % of the participants were aware of familial predisposition to Pca, and 66 % knew of the association with race/ethnicity [ 38 ]. Similarly, 35.1 % of South African men reported knowing that family history is a risk factor for Pca development [ 41 ].…”

“…These finding contradict our present results, in which only 0.6 % and 0.9 % of participants identified genetic/familial factors and race respectively as risk factors. Although the study of Alqudah et al [ 38 ] included health care professionals, who ideally should be more knowledgeable than laypeople, their level of knowledge appeared to be lower than expected, which could have a significant impact on community knowledge. It is worth assessing the knowledge of health care providers in our setting as well, to allow for sustainable health education intervention throughout the country.…”

“…Similarly, Maladze et al found awareness of DRE and PSA in 18.8 % and 31.4 %, respectively, of their study participants [ 41 ]. However, other studies have found up to 90 % participant awareness of PSA and DRE as screening tools [ 38 ].…”

Investigation of awareness rate of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) among the general public in China and analysis of influencing factors

“…Therefore, scientific education targeting medical personnel, especially non-urologists, should be at the forefront. Furthermore, studies have shown that physicians are one of the essential sources of knowledge about PCa screening in the population ( 17 ), and a more significant proportion of those who have received PSA screening are recommended by physicians ( 15 ), it indicates physicians' recommendations are essential factors in promoting PSA screening behaviors ( 23 ). Thus, it is crucial for medical personnel, especially non-urologists, to master prostate cancer prevention knowledge and to publicize it to accessible men < 40 years old or at risk.…”