Prostate cancer: Exploring the reasons for timing of presentation and diagnosis. Final Report

Abstract

Executive Summary Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men, and the third highest cancer mortality in men. The observed increase in incidence alongside the reduction in men presenting with advanced disease is likely to be due in part to improved early detection rates associated with the introduction of the PSA test. This study was undertaken to determine the pattern of timing of presentation with a diagnosis of prostate cancer in Glasgow. A postal survey was distributed to all men in Greater Glasgow who were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008/9 (N=458). The survey was returned by 320 men; a response rate of 70%. A stratified sub-sample of survey respondents were interviewed (N=30); when possible, men’s partners were included in these interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square and Spearman’s). Qualitative data were analysed thematically, informed by psychosocial theories of delay.