Cultural Aspects Involving the Patient Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer: a Study in the Community

Abstract

Introduction: Prostate cancer is matter of World Public Health. Cultural issues involved in the prostate cancer diagnosis are closely related to the social feeling of the masculinity hegemony which is characterized as the main factor for the low number of men who seek health centers. Objective: Thus, this study intends to understand the cultural aspects involved in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in men from the south of the state of Espirito Santo. Method: An exploratory randomized search in the Oncology Center at the Evangelical Hospital of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim was performed. The tolerable sample was calculated, defining 170 patients to whom a structured questionnaire was applied. All the procedures were approved by the Ethics Commitee of São Camilo University Center (ES) (Protocol 205). Results were demonstrated in terms of absolute and relative frequency, and the statistical significance was p<0.05. Results: Most of the evaluated patients were illiterate (53.2%) and above 60 years old (54.8%), living in the town of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (50%). Among them, the majority asserted to have unconditional support from their families (90.3%) and to face the diagnosis with serenity (77.4%). However, 51.6% of them reported a worsening in their sexual lives after diagnosis. It can be highlighted that 19.4% of the patients only sought medical assistance after feeling pain, and 19.4% when they had urinary disorders. Conclusion: Cultural and social aspects such as masculinity, education, family, beliefs and myths involving prostate cancer directly influence the way patients deal with the diagnosis in the south of the state of Espirito Santo.