Analysis of perceived benefits and risks for prostate cancer screening in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This exploratory study examined factors and decisional balance (DB) that influence participation in prostate cancer 
(PCa) screening in Saudi Arabia. The secondary purpose of the study is to develop the groundwork for future 
interventions to support at-risk men, to develop the health habit of getting a yearly prostate specific antigen (PSA) and 
digital rectal examination (DRE). The sample consisted of 500 Saudi men who resided in Riyadh area. Men completed 
two surveys and demographic data was also collected. The selected factors are demographic (age, race, marital 
status), structural (insurance coverage) and behavioral (screening history). No significant relationships were found for 
the factors and outcome for PSA, or DRE intent to screen. Further analysis utilizing Point Biserial Correlations for DB, 
factors and intent to screen with the PSA shows a result of a significant negative association between race and DB. A 
significant positive association was found for DB and having insurance and for DB and having had a previous PSA. 
For DB, factors and DRE intent resulted in a significant positive association with having insurance coverage and 
having had a previous DRE screening.In terms of research implications, Saudi health care providers should focus on 
the recruitment of men, in prostate cancer awareness and screening. Other roles in research is the development of 
reliable and valid assessment survey questions to measure patient knowledge, attitudes and cultural beliefs that can 
identify variations in individuals' decision making processes and benefits/risk perception.Implications for the clinical 
setting include PCa educational interventions as well as continuing to establish relationships outside of the clinical 
setting to coordinate community health efforts to provide men with resources to obtain culturally relevant information 
on the latest PCa developments.