Awareness of prostate cancer among the general public: findings of an independent international survey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of awareness of prostate cancer among the general public in Europe and the USA.


METHODS
An independent survey was undertaken across six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK) and the USA. A total of 1400 people, 700 men aged 50-70 years and 700 women aged >/=30 years with a partner or close male relative aged 40-70 years, completed a 10-minute telephone interview during which they answered questions about prostate cancer.


RESULTS
When asked about types of cancers, the majority of female respondents (79%) mentioned breast cancer but less than half of the male respondents (39%) mentioned prostate cancer. Urinary problems were identified as a symptom of prostate cancer by 86% of respondents, but only 1% of the sample was aware that the disease could be asymptomatic. Half of all respondents were unaware of the use of simple tests to detect early prostate cancer and only 25% mentioned the prostate-specific antigen test. Awareness of hormone therapy for early prostate cancer was relatively low (23%), while awareness of watchful waiting was almost negligible (1%).


CONCLUSIONS
This contemporary survey, the largest study of prostate cancer awareness ever undertaken and the first to provide an international perspective, clearly demonstrates the lack of awareness of prostate cancer among the general population and highlights the need for health education campaigns focusing on the disease.
Schulman
Claude C
CC
Department of Urology, Erasme Hospital, University Clinics of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium. claude.schulman@ulb.ac.be
Kirby
Roger
R
Fitzpatrick
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011639:Public Opinion; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology