PERCEPCIONES SOBRE EL CáNCER DE PRóSTATA EN POBLACIóN MASCULINA MAYOR DE 45 A？OS. SANTA ROSA DE CABAL, 2010

some perceptions about prostate cancer were identified in a group of over 45 years old men in santa rosa de cabal-risaralda, in order to generate strategies for health promotion on the subject. descriptive study of 150 volunteer males who signed informed consent. semi-structured interviews were conducted using 30 questions designed using the hochbaum et al. beliefs in health model which were organized, codified and categorized. the participants were mostly married (53%), from the urban area (69%), with elementary school schooling level (53%), from lower social strata (81%), having subsidized health (73%), and belonging to the catholic religion (95%). 76% from the respondents were considered vulnerable to prostate cancer if they were older than 60 years. the following risk factors were identified: smoking (29%), promiscuous sexual behavior (8%), poor nutrition (5%) and inheritance (7%). additionally, 60% of them considered they had knowledge about the disease and 97% were aware of its severity; 98% of the men acknowledged the benefits of timely diagnosis, but only a few (27%) had taken the exam. three barriers for the implementation of the test were explained: lack of knowledge (37%), affectation of masculinity (33%), and difficulty in treatment (94%), this last one because of the high cost and low access to specialized services. cultural, economic and access to health services barriers overcome the benefits perceived with the treatment which is reflected in the low intention to take the diagnostic test. it is required to implement participatory education strategies.