The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68313

Jane Uman, BA, MPH¹, Carmela Groves, RN, MS², Annette Hopkins, RN, MS¹, Ebenezer Israel, MD, MPH¹, Eileen Karen Steinberger, MD, MS¹, Marsha Bienia, MBA², Diane M. Dwyer, MD², and Min Zhan, PhD¹. (1) Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 660 W. Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-0810, Juman@epi.umaryland.edu, (2) Center for Cancer Surveillance and Control, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

To estimate inappropriate prostate cancer screening using American Cancer Society guidelines, we analyzed Maryland’s population-based telephone Cancer Survey data. 58.5% of the men aged 40 and older surveyed reported ever having had a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test and 90% of those tested had a PSA within the past 2 years. 91% of all men 50 years or older who reported having Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) in the past year also were tested for PSA in the past year. Men screened under age 50 did not report being tested because of family history. Among those who had a PSA test, there were no significant differences in education, income, or Hispanic ethnicity between men tested under 45 and those 45 and older. Significantly more blacks were tested under age 45 than whites (p<0.0001). Comparing men 45-49 to those 50 and older, no differences were found in race or ethnicity; however, those with greater than a high school degree were significantly more likely to be tested at 45-49 years than those with a high school degree or less (p=0.001) as were those whose income was at least $50,000 (p<0.0001). Among men over 71 years, only 21.3% reported being tested for a problem or follow-up of other tests. Conclusion: Many men in our sample reported having a PSA testing although guidelines do not recommend them to be tested. Based on our analysis, 30% were inappropriately tested by screening guidelines.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.The participant will learn about current PSA screening practices in Maryland men 40 years and older and their relationship to current prostate cancer screening guidelines.
• 2.The participant will be able to describe demographic similarities and differences in this sample of Maryland men who had PSA testing.

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Cancer Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.