Demographics and Health-Related Factors of Men Receiving Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening in Utah

BACKGROUND: Identifying who is pursuing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer is prerequisite to effectively influencing participation in PSA screening and educating people about potential screening implications and personal risk. This paper describes the relationship between select demographic and health-related factors with PSA screening. METHODS: Analysis was based on 1,293 men age 40 years or older who responded to a cross-sectional random telephone survey involving 12 health districts in the state of Utah from June 1 to August 31, 1996. Independent variables were current age, race, marital status, education, household income, medical insurance, level of physical activity, intake of fruits and vegetables, receipt of psychiatric help, religious preference, church attendance, general health status, and employment. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of respondents reported having had a PSA in the past year. PSA screening in the previous year significantly increased and leveled off with age: 23.9% for ages 40-49, 51.4% for ages 50-59, 67.4% for ages 60-69, and 67.0% for ages 70+. After adjusting for age, only marital status and medical insurance were significantly related to PSA screening, with medical insurance having the largest effect. Approximately 50.6% married men and 33.5% unmarried men had a PSA in the past year. Percentages for insured and uninsured men were 49.4 and 16.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A substantial portion of elderly men, particularly those who are married and medically insured, have had a PSA test in the past year. This information makes it possible to more effectively influence participation in PSA screening and educate people about potential screening implications and personal risk.