Dr Anthony Lowe is a member of ANZUP

Background/significance

For the past ten years, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) has conducted research into the community’s attitudes towards and awareness of prostate cancer and observed how these attitudes have changed over time.  2012 marked the tenth anniversary of this research, and for the first time, the results were published and launched.

The significance of this research is that it provides PCFA and the community with critical insights into the attitudes of the community towards prostate cancer and assists PCFA to respond accordingly through a variety of PCFA programs.

Key Research objective:

To assess changes in community awareness, knowledge and understanding of prostate cancer.

Methods:

The research used an online data collection methodology, with a sample sourced from a commercial panel of 320,000 Australians.

A total of 1,431 men aged between 40 and 74 participated in the survey.  The sample size gives a 95% confidence level.  The data was collected in the period 20 march to 2 April 2012.

Participants in the survey did not have prior knowledge of the research topic to mitigate against possible bias from knowledge about prostate cancer.  The survey was framed in terms of community health issues, moving to male health issues and then to prostate cancer.

Results:

The survey demonstrates that over the past ten years, significant progress has been made in community awareness and knowledge of prostate cancer, but there is still much to be done.

Conclusion:

The survey responses point to the need for five key actions:

1.    Develop national clinical guidelines for PSA testing

2.    Expand PCFA affiliated support groups

3.    Increase awareness of support groups amongst health professionals

4.    Diversify sources of information and support

5.    Undertake further research into needs of partners and carers.