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The present study aims at analyzing the meanings attributed to the digital rectal exam, seeking to problematize questions underlying the masculine discourse on the basis of aspects of the hegemonic masculinity model. Semi-structured interviews were held with 28 men in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in 2004. Among the main results is the idea that the digital rectal exam is something that violates an interdicted space, something that compromises the current understanding of masculinity, shall say, the digital rectal exam does not only affect the prostate, it also affects the masculinity, puts it to shame. We conclude that for understanding and problematizing the questions related to the prostate cancer prevention in special, and to the question of taking care of oneself from the masculine perspective in general, we need to consider the structural and symbolic aspects that underlie these questions.

This study analyzes recommendations for the prevention of prostate cancer reported in the specific literature on this topic. The method consisted of a review of this matter, adopting a qualitative approach, examined through the theme content analysis technique. Based on the following analysis categories: primary prevention, secondary prevention and masculinity and prevention, the discussion of the study findings concludes that: (a) the recommendations are either diverse or present some controversies among the various viewpoints; (b) the output of scientific papers in the collective health field is sparse on this matter; (c) the development of a more interdisciplinary approach is required for dealing with this matter and (d) few sources take the specific characteristic of maleness into account for recommendations on the prevention of prostate cancer.