Prostate Cancer Screening Perception, Beliefs, and Practices Among Men in Bamenda, Cameroon

Abstract

Prostate Cancer (CaP) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Cameroonian men. Due to inadequate infrastructure, record keeping, and resources, little is known about its true burden on the population. There are rural/urban disparities with regards to awareness, screening, treatment, and survivorship. Furthermore, use of traditional medicine and homeopathic remedies is widespread, and some men delay seeking conventional medical treatment until advanced stages of CaP. This study examined the perceptions, beliefs, and practices of men in Cameroon regarding late stage CaP diagnoses; identified factors that influence screening decision; and ascertained how men decided between traditional or conventional medicine for CaP diagnosis and treatment.Semistructured focus groups were used to collect data from men in Bamenda, Cameroon. Qualitative data analysis was used to analyze transcripts for emerging themes and constructs using a socio-ecological framework.Twenty-five men participated in the study, with an average age of 59. Most of the participants had never received a prostate screening recommendation. Socioeconomic status, local beliefs, knowledge levels, awareness of CaP and screening methods, and stigma were prominent themes.A significant number of Cameroonian men receive late stage CaP diagnosis due to lack of awareness, attitudes, cultural beliefs, self-medication, and economic limitation. To effectively address these contributing factors to late stage CaP diagnosis, a contextually based health education program is warranted and should be tailored to fill knowledge gaps about the disease, dispel misconceptions, and focus on reducing barriers to utilization of health services.

Information Needs of Black Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Treatment Within the South African Public Healthcare System

“…For these patients, the reality of being viewed “as a cancer” and the taboo of the nature of masculinity overlies an unspoken shame. The social stigma regarding prostate cancer observed in this study is similar to the findings in a qualitative study exploring men’s perceptions, beliefs and practices for prostate screening in Cameroon [ 30 ]. Providing information to overcome internalised and community-entrenched stigmas is challenging [ 31 ].…”

Psychosocial influences on help-seeking behaviour for cancer in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review

“…In observed and hypothetical studies conducted in Asian and African countries, breast, 80 81 cervical, 13 prostate 75 and oral 82 cancer symptom knowledge was poor and mainly restricted to lumps as a cancer symptom. 64 73 76 In observed studies of patients with breast cancer, misattribution of symptoms contributed to longer patient intervals.…”

“…In hypothetical and observed studies mostly conducted in African countries, it was common to believe that breast 11 64 66 67 69 71–74 and prostate 75 symptoms were caused by evil spirits, a spell, or witchcraft or a benign cause (eg, ‘a boil’). 66 72 73 Beliefs about causality generally prompted participants to visit TCAM healers in the patient interval in observed studies of patients with breast cancer in African countries.…”

“…In hypothetical and observed studies conducted in Asian and African countries, cancer was a source of shame and stigma 72 75–77 82 that influenced help-seeking across all intervals due to fear of social rejection and treatment, and presumed death after diagnosis. 37 62 75 81 82 In Indonesia and in African countries, cultural norms around cancer stigma and secrecy after breast 63 72 74 76 77 and prostate 75 cancer diagnosis meant that there was a lack of exposure to cancer, and negative illness synonyms such as ‘ the bad disease ’ 63 64 76 80 were used. Cancer taboo was reinforced in hospital settings in African countries where health professionals referred to cancer as ‘ that disease ’ or ‘ the sickness ’, 72 and commonly withheld details of the diagnosis from the patient.…”

“…Most studies assessing fearful and fatalistic cancer beliefs found that these lengthened all intervals. In observed and hypothetical studies conducted in Asian and African countries, breast, 37 62–64 66 67 73 74 76 77 80 nasopharyngeal, 65 oral 82 and prostate 75 cancers were conceptualised as dangerous, painful and deadly. Negative beliefs were usually based on experiences of people within patients’ social network with a cancer diagnosis.…”