Men’s perceptions of prostate cancer diagnosis and care: insights from qualitative interviews in Victoria, Australia

After establishing the Victorian Prostate Cancer Registry, it became evident that men diagnosed with prostate cancer in one Victorian regional area had poorer rates of survival compared to men in metropolitan Melbourne. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of prostate cancer diagnosis and care among men diagnosed with prostate cancer who lived in either a metropolitan or regional area. Through 21 in-depth interviews, contrasts between regional and metropolitan areas related mostly to the limited supportive care in regional areas. From the conversations with these men, every aspect of prostate cancer care would benefit from attention, from promoting more awareness on the need to check prostate health to supporting men in the years after treatment. Read more