Câncer de próstata: práticas e entraves relacionados à detecção precoce na população masculina.

Abstract

Among the diseases that affects the men’s health, one that worth mentioning is prostate cancer. Consists of a very common chronic condition in the male population, especially those older than 45 years, being indispensable the search for health services in order to perform preventive practices for this type of cancer. Despite this, what is observed, nowadays, is an opposite scenario where from issues related to masculinity, men tend not to attend primary care services. This study aimed to assess obstacles and practices adopted by men regarding the early detection of prostate cancer. This is a descriptive observational study with quantitative design, developed in the city of Cuité-PB with 62 registered and accompanied men in family health units. After approval of the research by ethics committee of the University Hospital Lauro Wanderley in opinion No. 919 217, data were collected using a questionnaire. The results show that respondents have an average age of 57 years, with low level of scholarity, being predominantly married, with family income of a minimum wage and the mostly, retired. Of these men's refer 56.3% to live with some kind of health problem, 32.8% sought health service between 2-3 times in the last year, 50% reported not knowing the means to prevent prostate cancer, 53.1% never realized PSA testing, 71.9% they did not submit themselves to rectal examination, 71.9% did not perform transrectal ultrasonography and 92.2% did not make the prostate biopsy. Among the obstacles mentioned by the interviewees, stood out issues inherent to hegemonic masculinity and the lack of information. Was perceived with this study that most men did not carry out the early detection tests for prostate cancer, because questions related to taboos about masculinity, as well as the lack of consistent information about the disease and its prevention. Thereby, it is essential that nurses trace strategies to change this reality, in order to redirect the man's health care practices.