Examining risk perception among men with a family history of prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective: This paper explores factors that influence the formulation of risk perception among men with a family history of prostate cancer who are currently attending a prostate cancer screening clinic.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen participants. Interview transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results: The following themes were identified: Risk Information Pathways, Experience with Other Prostate Disease, Exposure to Prostate Cancer Screening, Exposure to Affected Relatives, Lifestyle Factors, Illness Beliefs, and Health-Based Risk Comparisons.

Conclusion: Understanding the contributors to risk perception and applying this knowledge during screening visits and genetic counselling may help to reduce risk distortion and result in increased adherence to screening programs and reduced psychological distress.

Practice implications: Prostate cancer screening should incorporate counselling to address patient-specific risk concepts in order to increase the accuracy and maintain the stability of risk perceptions.