One Recommendation Can Change a Life – Study Explores What Encourages Men to Undergo Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in men. Early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. The key question, however, remains how to motivate men to actually attend preventive screenings. Partial answers are provided by the results of the ProstaPilot project, conducted by a team of experts from Masaryk University, Masaryk Oncology Institute, and the National Screening Center of the Institute of Health Information and Statistics. The goal of the ProstaPilot project is to find the most effective way to detect prostate cancer early in men aged 50–69, including an analysis of what truly motivates men to undergo preventive screening.

The study shows that a strong motivator is primarily trust in the doctor and clear, personal communication about the risks and benefits of screening methods. Respondents generally rated this information very positively, and many stated that if they received a concrete recommendation from their doctor, they would be more inclined to participate in preventive care. More than half of the men decided to go for screening immediately after receiving a recommendation — usually from their doctor. At the same time, almost half of the respondents reported that their general practitioner had never had an open conversation with them about prostate cancer prevention. Support from a partner, accessibility of screening, and ease of scheduling also had a positive effect.

Concerns about potential discomfort during the examination were minimal. Respondents generally did not perceive the discomfort associated with screening as a major barrier, although certain fears and psychological obstacles (e.g., fear of diagnosis or feelings of embarrassment) were identified as factors that could influence decision-making. These barriers were more common among men with lower secondary education and in smaller towns. It also made little difference whether the examination was performed by a male or female doctor.

“The study clearly shows that technological possibilities, campaigns, and informational materials alone are not enough. The key trigger is a personal and unequivocal recommendation from a doctor. A short conversation can determine whether a man attends a screening that could save his life,” evaluates one of the authors, Associate Professor Miroslav Světlák, Head of the Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics at the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, also working at the Clinic of Comprehensive Oncology Care, Masaryk Oncology Institute and Faculty of Medicine. “The results also raise the question of how preventive programs can effectively target different groups of men. Analysis is ongoing, but it is already clear that prevention has enormous potential when actively recommended by healthcare professionals.”