· 84% of Men Over 45 Are Unscreened, Unsure, or Believe Prostate Cancer Screening Isn’t Even Needed, Finds Survey

· National survey of 1,036 men highlights significant gaps in prostate cancer awareness, screening and doctor conversations

A national survey of 1,036 men aged 45 and above found that 6 in 10 do not know whether they have ever been screened for prostate cancer, while 84% are either unscreened, unsure of their screening status, or believe screening is not needed. The findings point to a wider prostate health awareness gap, with men showing limited understanding of risk factors, PSA testing and when they should initiate a conversation with a doctor.

The survey, conducted by Heal Foundation, found that among men aged 45 and above across Delhi NCR, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra, found that 68.9% could not name a single prostate cancer risk factor, while only 13.2% recognised family history as a risk factor. Around 75% believed prostate cancer monitoring should begin only at age 50 or later.

“These findings point to a fundamental awareness gap around prostate cancer. When nearly seven in 10 men cannot identify even one risk factor, and six in 10 do not know whether they have ever been screened, it is clear that prostate health needs to become a more visible part of routine health conversations for men over 45. Awareness of risk, screening and when to speak to a doctor is an important first step toward informed, personalised healthcare decisions,” said Dr. Devavrat Arya, Vice Chairman, Medical Oncology, Max Healthcare, Delhi.

The screening gap is particularly concerning. While nearly two-thirds of respondents said they undergo a general annual health check-up, 60.8% did not know their own prostate cancer screening status and only around one in six men reported ever having been screened. Awareness of the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test was also limited, with only 31% having heard of the test and just 14% ever specifically requesting one.

“The survey brings out a worrying pattern: men are participating in general health check-ups, but prostate health is still not consistently part of that conversation. The fact that 84% of respondents are either unscreened, uncertain about their screening status or do not believe screening is necessary shows how much work remains in helping men understand prostate cancer risk and the role of early evaluation. These conversations should begin proactively and be guided by individual risk and clinical advice. Awareness remains the first and most significant barrier in the prostate cancer journey. Among elderly patients and their caregivers, there is limited understanding of the disease itself — its symptoms are often dismissed as normal signs of aging, leading to delayed diagnosis. Even after a diagnosis is made, the gap doesn’t close: patients and families frequently remain unaware of advanced treatment options like radioligand therapy, leaving many to default to conventional pathways simply because no one told them otherwise. Closing this awareness gap — before and after diagnosis — is critical to ensuring patients access the right therapy at the right time, said Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi, Principal Director of Medical Oncology at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI).

The lack of awareness extends to understanding who should guide men through prostate cancer evaluation and treatment. Although doctors were the most trusted source of health information, with 67% placing their greatest trust in doctors, only 36% correctly identified a urologist as the appropriate specialist for prostate cancer. Meanwhile, 44% said they would want a second opinion before starting treatment, reflecting both a desire for informed decision-making and gaps in understanding the treatment pathway.

The survey also found that prostate health remains difficult for many men to discuss. Nationally, 59.5% said they were uncomfortable raising prostate screening or treatment with a doctor, while only around 18% said they would proactively initiate such a conversation themselves. At the same time, 84% said they search online for health information, while 48% said family or friends influenced their first conversation about prostate cancer.

“There is a clear disconnect between general health awareness and prostate-specific awareness. Many men are undertaking annual health check-ups, yet they may not know whether prostate cancer screening was discussed or whether they have ever undergone a PSA test. Education needs to focus on helping men understand risk factors, the role of screening and the importance of having an individualised conversation with their healthcare professional rather than treating prostate health as something that can be ignored until symptoms appear,” said Dr. Ishita B.Sen, Principal Director Nuclear Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

 The awareness gaps appear to persist across age groups. Men aged 65 and above showed some of the widest gaps, with uncertainty about screening status rising to roughly 72% and low treatment knowledge reaching roughly 80%. Recognition of family history as a risk factor remained consistently low at 11–14% across age groups, suggesting that limited awareness of prostate cancer risk is not restricted to a particular generation.

The findings highlight the need to move the conversation around prostate cancer beyond individual cities or states. While the survey covered Delhi NCR, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra, the national findings point towards a broader awareness challenge around risk factors, screening status, PSA testing and initiating conversations with doctors. With advanced therapy options improving survival and quality of life, improving awareness and encouraging timely conversations with doctors can help men make informed decisions about prostate cancer.