From Insights to Impact: Understanding Cancer Screening Choices through Mixed-Methods.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this comprehensive mixed-methods investigation conducted in Jordan were to explore and understand men's engagement in cancer screening. METHODS: The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey with 209 participants and focus group interviews with 30 individuals. The survey involved quantitative data collection methods to gather information on cancer screening participation rates among men in Amman. Focus group interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data on the factors influencing cancer screening utilization among men in Amman. RESULTS: The study revealed a notably low participation rate, with less than 37% of men engaging in cancer screening. The diminished involvement was attributed to several factors, including health illiteracy, language barriers, restricted access to health-related information and screening services, and cultural considerations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, the research strongly advocates for tailored interventions that are culturally specific. The emphasis is on the importance of training community health workers to address the identified challenges and enhance both cancer prevention awareness and screening accessibility in Jordan.

Factors Influencing Prostate Cancer Screening Intentions in Lebanese Men.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the perceived obstacles and willingness of Lebanese men aged 40 and above to undergo screening for prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional research design was employed. The study utilized a survey questionnaire to collect data on various factors influencing screening behaviors. The research instrument consisted of a comprehensive survey questionnaire that incorporated validated scales to assess barriers to prostate cancer screening, intention to screen, and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). RESULTS: The study found that the 120 participants had an average IPSS score of 7.20 ± 2.23, most people (70%) had mild symptoms of prostate cancer, whereas others had moderate (20%) or severe symptoms (10%). The majority of the men indicated a low to moderate inclination to undergo screening through Prostate-specific antigen testing, or digital rectal examination (DRE) (PSA), with 76% considering DRE and 70% considering PSA. The main barriers to screening included the dread of receiving distressing outcomes (48%) and a lack of understanding about the screening procedure (54%). The study identified key factors affecting the intention to undergo a prostate cancer screening. Regarding DREs, these factors included the perceived danger of the illness and prior information from doctors about prostate conditions. When it came to the intention to undergo screening through the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), determinants included the perceived threat of the disease, one's general health perception, and prior information from doctors about prostate-related issues. Additionally, a significant proportion of participants believed that prostate cancer was not a serious illness (56%) and 57% thought DRE was embarrassing. CONCLUSIONS: The participants displayed a low willingness to get screened for prostate cancer. Implementing interventions that focus on increasing awareness of the disease and its associated risks could potentially reduce the barriers and boost participation in prostate cancer screening.