Routes to diagnosis for men with prostate cancer: Men's cultural beliefs about how changes to their bodies and symptoms influence help- seeking actions. A narrative review of the literature

Michelle King-Okoye, Anne Arber, Sara Faithfull

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose
To examine the findings of existing studies in relation to men's cultural beliefs about changes to their bodies relevant to prostate cancer and how these affect interpretation of bodily changes and help-seeking actions.

Method
We undertook a narrative review of studies conducted from 2004 to 2017 in 6 databases that highlighted men's beliefs and help-seeking actions for bodily changes suggestive of prostate cancer.

Results
Eighteen (18) studies reflecting men from various ethnicities and nationalities were included. The belief that blood and painful urination were warning signs to seek medical help delayed help-seeking among men compared to men that did not experience these symptoms. The belief that urinary symptoms such as dribbling, cystitis and urinary hesitancy were transient and related to ageing, normality and infection significantly delayed symptom appraisal and help-seeking. Men also held the belief that sexual changes, such as impotence and ejaculation dysfunction were private, embarrassing and a taboo. These beliefs impeded timely help-seeking. Cultural beliefs, spirituality and the role of wives/partners were significant for men to help appraise symptoms as requiring medical attention thus sanctioning the need for help-seeking.

Conclusions
This review underscores a critical need for further empirical research into men's beliefs about bodily changes relevant to prostate health and how these beliefs affect their interpretation of symptoms and subsequent help-seeking actions.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48-58
Number of pages11
JournalEuropean Journal of Oncology Nursing
Early online date31 Aug 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2017

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • men
  • prostate cancer
  • beliefs
  • appraisal
  • help-seeking
  • ethnicity
  • culture

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