CAUSES, MANAGEMENT SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT, PREVENTION OF PROSTATE CANCER

CAUSE, SYMPTOMS, MANAGEMENT, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION OF PROSTATE CANCER

 

ABSTRACT

This study focused on the Cause, Symptoms, Management, treatment, and prevention of Prostate Cancer (PC). This was a cross-sectional study among men aged between 18-72 years attending University of Uyo Teaching Hospital( UUTH), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.  We enrolled 384 participants using systematic random sampling. Frequencies and proportions were generated. The mean age for the respondents was 30.4, ±12.5SD and range 18-72. Majority 219 (57%) of participants lived in urban areas while 271 (70.6%) were single. The most common source of information was through the radio. Overall, the respondents had inadequate knowledge 269 (70.1%), positive attitudes 331 (86.2%) and low screening uptake 16/ 76 (21%) among eligible men (>45years). There was generally poor knowledge and low screening among the respondents. There is a need for exploration of new platforms for creating awareness on PC in the community and inclusion of PC screening in routine medical checkups for early diagnosis in eligible men.

CHAPTER 1:  INTRODUCTION

 

1.1  ORIENTATION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented that early diagnosis of cancer greatly affects treatment success. The process to early diagnosis is proposed to include education (knowledge) on the disease, encouragement for participation (practice) in early detection procedures and practices that prevent the risk of developing cancer (Who, 2014).  Çapik (2014) reported that in Turkey and many countries, the early diagnostic tests for cancer are not considered among routine screening programs, but are performed on an individual basis with recommendations from physicians.

 

Research has shown that prostate cancer is increasingly recognized as a critical public health problem in Africa.  In  studies conducted in Nigeria , it was found that awareness of prostate cancer is quite low as only 39.2 percent and 54.1 percent of participants were aware of prostate cancer respectively (Atulomah, Motunrayo F. Olanrewaju,

Ademola M. Amosu, & Omotoyosi Adedeji, 2010). Also  Atulomah et al. reported  that  48 percent of men were not aware of prostate cancer as a disease and the majority did not even know the function of the prostate (Atulomah et al., 2010).

 

The above findings revealed lack of awareness on the key risk factors and symptoms of prostate cancer.  According to Nakandi et al., (2013), poor Knowledge on Prevention and management of Prostate Cancer due to insufficient information on prostate cancer risk, screening and treatment contributes to a poor diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.  It is against this background that this study seeks to examine Cause, Symptoms, Management, treatment, and prevention of prostate cancer.

 

 

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 

In Sub-Saharan Africa, prostate cancer reports have been hospital-based and as such very few studies, have been conducted on indigenous populations.  Not surprising therefore, and not withstanding the  increasing incidences and mortality resulting from prostate cancer in Africa (Nigerian inclusive). Although higher awareness levels on prostate cancer have previously been reported among Nigerian men aged 50 or more  years, their knowledge levels on prostate cancer (i.e., symptoms and signs, detection, treatment, prevention and outcomes) were low (less than 40%) (Oladimeji, Bidemi, Olufisayo, & Sola, 2010).  There have been neither specific policies nor effective strategies for controlling the disease.

Moreover, limited studies  have led to over-reliance on research findings from elsewhere in the world, despite the fact that risks and factors influencing the outcomes of the disease are largely different. Thus, there has been an urgent need to identify the causes, symptoms, prevention and management of prostate cancer, hence this study.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In order to achieve the study objectives, the following research questions were formulated to guide the study;

 

• What is the level of knowledge on the prevention and management of Prostate Cancer amongst men in UUTH ?
• What are the attitudes towards the prevention of prostate cancer amongst men in UUTH?
• What are the practices towards the prevention of prostate cancer screening amongst men in UUTH ?

 

1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 

The purpose of the study was to determine the Cause, Symptoms, Management, treatment, and prevention of prostate cancer.

 

• To determine the Knowledge on Prevention and management of Prostate Cancer amongst men in UUTH
• To determine the attitudes of prostate cancer amongst men in UUTH
• To determine the practices towards the prevention of prostate cancer screening amongst men in UUTH

 

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The results from this study will create baseline data which help to develop appropriate preventative measures and awareness programs. Furthermore, this study will also help identify possible reasons for the late reporting of men for PC screening and aid to inform the public on the need for early-seeking behaviour through screening.

 

Moreover, the study findings will provide  a reference source of information  on the perception of people towards the diagnosis, treatment,  outcome of prostate cancer, needed greatly in Nigeria.

Additionally, with the availability of additional information and data, government agencies and stakeholders can implement interventions that will not only lead to saving of lives but reduce the economic burden of the disease as well.

CAUSE, SYMPTOMS, MANAGEMENT, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION OF PROSTATE CANCER

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