The knowledge and attitude towards prostate cancer and screening practices among males in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Early-stage prostate cancer can be asymptomatic. The digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test are usually used for prostate cancer screening. This study aims to assess knowledge and attitudes towards prostate cancer screening among males in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on Saudi males above the age of 40. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed online. RESULTS: A total of 368 males completed the questionnaire. In the studied group, 64.5% had heard about prostate cancer through social media (46.7%), the internet (40.1%), or healthcare providers (18.6%). In addition, around 20.3% of the participants had heard about the PSA screening test. Moreover, 55.2% of participants had an inadequate level of knowledge about prostate cancer and the PSA test, while 53.1% had a negative attitude. CONCLUSION: There was a poor level of knowledge and attitude towards screening for prostate cancer among males in Saudi Arabia. This could be due to the lack of education on the risks of prostate cancer by healthcare providers.