Physicians are also inadequate in prostate cancer awareness

Speaking on September 15th, World Prostate Cancer Awareness Day, Turkish Urological Association President Prof. Dr. Ender Özden emphasized that early diagnosis of prostate cancer saves lives, and said that even if there are no complaints, individuals with a family history should have a urological examination starting at age 40, and those without at age 50.

Prof. Dr. Özden stated that technological advances have led to significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, but public awareness remains inadequate. Therefore, he emphasized the need to raise awareness among both the public and physicians.

In this context, a survey was conducted by the Turkish Urological Association between August and September 2025 to assess physicians' approaches to their own health. A total of 338 specialists participated in the study, and the approaches of 168 urologists and 170 non-urologists to prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment were evaluated.

According to the survey results:

• Urology experts generally prefer the age of starting PSA testing to be after 50 (37%),

• Non-urology specialists preferred the earlier age of 40 (34%) , revealing differences in approaches in terms of awareness levels.

• Furthermore, despite technological advances, the importance of digital rectal examination has been pushed to the background, while multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and MRI-fusion biopsy methods are increasingly preferred. In particular, 40 percent of urologists prefer to perform transperineal MRI-fusion biopsy under sedation.

"AWARENESS MUST BE INCREASED"

Turkish Urological Oncology Association Secretary General Prof. Dr. Evren Süer stated that biopsy preference in mpMR findings (PIRADS ≥3) becomes a priority along with PSA elevation, and that this is consistent with current clinical approaches.

However, 32% of non-urology specialists did not comment on the decision to perform a biopsy, while most of the remaining based their decision solely on PSA and physical examination findings. This situation highlighted a lack of awareness even among physicians.

Prof. Dr. Cenk Yücel Bilen, a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Urological Society, emphasized that imaging preferences for low-risk prostate cancer are excessive and inconsistent with guidelines. He also noted that active surveillance is highly preferred by urologists in low-risk cases (70%), but this rate remains significantly lower among non-urologists.

Prof. Dr. İlker Tinay, Vice President of the Turkish Urological Society, stated that this study conducted among physicians is one of the most important steps in efforts to raise public awareness. He added that determining the general level of awareness through the way specialists approach their own health is critical to public health.

In conclusion, the Turkish Urological Oncology Association emphasized the need to raise awareness of prostate cancer among both the public and healthcare professionals, and stated that it will continue its efforts to raise public awareness with the data obtained.