Objective:

To describe the socio-demographic characteristics, population point prevalence, geographic distribution, and referral patterns of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in South Africa.

Approach:

• Study Design: A quantitative cross-sectional study using secondary data from medical records of men diagnosed with prostate cancer between March 2020 and December 2021.
• Data Collection: A total of 224 patient records were reviewed, collecting variables such as age, district, sub-district residence, and referral facility.
• Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to assess associations between geographic variables and disease risk, with geographic distribution visualized using heat maps.

Key Findings:

• Mean age of participants was 72.6 years (SD ± 8.8).
• 61.2% of patients presented with high-risk disease at diagnosis (95% CI: 54.4%–67.6%).
• High-risk disease was most prevalent among patients aged 80 years and older (87.8%; 95% CI: 75.2%–95.4%).
• 75.4% of patients originated from the OR Tambo District (95% CI: 69.3%–80.9%), particularly the King Sabata Dalindyebo sub-district.
• No statistically significant association between geographic district and risk category (p = 0.932).

Interpretation:

Most prostate cancer patients presenting to the teaching hospital were diagnosed with advanced disease, irrespective of geographic location.

Limitations:

• The study is based on secondary data, which may have limitations in accuracy and completeness.
• Findings may not be generalizable to other regions or populations outside the study area.

Conclusion:

The findings highlight the need for strengthened early detection strategies, decentralized screening services, improved referral pathways, and targeted community awareness programmes in rural provinces of South Africa.