Perception of Prostate Cancer in Mexican Men and Willingness for Digital Rectal Examination

Objective: identify the association between risk perception for prostate cancer and willingness for a digital rectal examination. Method: cross-sectional analytical study, 361 people participated through a non-probabilistic sampling by convenience. Risk perception was assessed with the health belief model for prostate cancer, a Likert-type scale validated in Mexican population was used for this purpose, and the willingness for a digital rectal examination was determined through a question. The χ2 test was used to explore the relation between the risk perception level for prostate cancer, and willingness to perform a digital rectal examination. or was calculated for the magnitude of association. Results: 13.57% of the participants had a good perception of risk, 33.24% had an inconclusive perception, and 53.19% had a poor perception. 35.18% of the participants were willing for a digital rectal examination, and 64.82% refused. 18.9% of the rectal exams performed were abnormal. There is a statistically significant association between risk perception for prostate cancer, and willingness for a digital rectal examination (p<0.05). Inconclusive and poor risk perception for prostate cancer were risk factors for a digital rectal examination willingness (or=16.72, ci 6.54-42.77, and or=21.5, ci8.62-53.65 respectively), these values were statistically significant. Conclusion: risk perception for prostate cancer can influence men’s decision making, and performance of digital rectal examination. Interventions aimed at patient education are required to increase men’s participation in comprehensive prostate cancer screening.