Background:
The incidence rate of prostate cancer spiked dramatically in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is one of the most common cancers among men, together with lung cancer, both accounting for approximately one-third of all male cancers. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and attitude towards prostate cancer amongst male adults in Penang, Malaysia.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 132 adult male respondents from the general public in Penang, Malaysia.
Results:
Our findings showed that the majority of respondents (78.03%, n=103) have high level of knowledge regarding prostate cancer. The mean score for total knowledge was 9.1796 with SD ± 1.576. With regards to attitude, the majority of respondents (93.00%) have positive attitudes towards prostate cancer. No significant association was observed between knowledge and attitude towards prostate cancer (p>0.05).
Conclusion
The majority of respondents reported a good level of knowledge and positive attitudes towards prostate cancer. This study recommends that an educational program must be proposed by the local healthcare authority amongst adult males to encourage them for early screening and examination.