Prostate cancer screening: Beliefs and practices of the Brazilian physicians with different specialties

Prostate cancer (PC) presents with a high prevalence, but a low mortality. The evaluation of the risk-benefit ratio of current screening methods has led to conflicting results, which are reflected in some contradictory recommendations proposed by scientific and governmental entities. In this context of uncertainty, our objective is to verify the practices and beliefs of Brazilian physicians of different specialties regarding screening for PC.

A cross-sectional study was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire survey during the main events of the target specialties (general practitioner, geriatrics, and urology) during the year 2016. We evaluated the practices on 6 main points of conduct in PC screening: previous discussion to informed decision, exams indicated, age of onset with and without additional risk factors, repeat interval, and age when screening is suspended. Responses were analysed with descriptive statistics and correlation, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program (IBM SPSS Statistics version 20, 2010).

The screening recommendation for PC differs significantly among specialists in association with previous discussion of benefits/harm (P = 0.026), exams used (P < 0.001), age of beginning screening with and without additional risk (P < 0.001), and age of suspension of the screening program (P < 0.001).

Our findings indicate that there is a significant difference of conduct between doctors in different specialties. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first study that directly compares the practices of these different specialists in relation to the main points involved in screening for PC.