Demographic and past screening behaviors of men attending a free community screening program for prostate cancer

Health Promot Pract. 2006 Apr;7(2):213-20. doi: 10.1177/1524839905278881.

Abstract

This study characterizes demographic and past prostate screening behaviors of men who participated in a free screening for prostate cancer. Demographics, past prostate screening behavior, perceived risk, and cancer worry were assessed in 1,680 men. Mean age was 58.2 years, 56% were White, and 76% had health insurance. Men with insurance were more likely to have had a previous prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam (DRE). White men were more likely to have had a previous PSA and DRE and to have discussed PSA testing with a physician than African American men. African American men reported greater perceived risk and more worry than White men. Screening differences between African American and White men were explained by insurance status. These results may help guide the development of and promotion for future screening programs. Future efforts should be directed at increasing awareness about screening procedures for prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Community Health Services / economics
  • Community Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Digital Rectal Examination
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / economics
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Men / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Texas
  • White People / psychology

Substances

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen