Percepção dos homens quanto ao exame digital da próstata

Objective : understand the meanings of digital prostate examination for the man suffering from prostate cancer. Material and Method : it is a descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Seven men, who experienced the digital prostate exam, were interviewed in this research using the open interview technique. Results: the data was analyzed through thematic analysis and revealed two categories: “Situations that influenced the performance or not of the prostate exam and its consequences” and “Men’s perceptions during the test”. This study showed that there are factors that positively influence the search for care, such as: family encouragement, prior knowledge about the disease and the importance of early diagnosis. On the other hand, prejudice and lack of knowledge have been factors that hinder the search for health services, as, in many cases, patients seek care after the appearance of signs and symptoms, impacting the late diagnosis, leading to poor prognosis. Conclusion : it is concluded that health professionals have a fundamental role in the adherence of this population to the health system through educational actions to promote knowledge on the subject and provide humanized care through welcoming.