Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110996

Elizabeth A. Ellis Ohr, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Univeristy of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Judy A. Shea, PhD, Division of General Internal Medicine, Univeristy of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Dominick Frosch, PhD, Annenberg School of Communications, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Carmen E. Guerra, MD, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 1221 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, and John H. Holmes, PhD, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-898-4833, jholmes@cceb.med.upenn.edu.

Current American College of Physicians and American Cancer Society guidelines recommend that men should be informed about prostate cancer screening through discussion with their provider; however, there is little evidence demonstrating the extent to which men participate in such discussions. This qualitative study investigated how men discuss general and prostate health issues as well as their experience with, and attitudes about, prostate cancer screening. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 men aged 40-70, sampled from a large metropolitan community and a university-based health system. Interviews were transcribed and then coded independently by two analysts; coding consensus was reached on each interview. Common themes emerging from the interviews included lack of knowledge about prostate cancer and screening, confusion about screening options, and how the digital rectal examination produced psychological discomfort and threatened male sexuality. Using Degner's Control Preferences Scale, 46% stated that they prefer to make the final decision about screening tests after seriously considering their doctor's opinion. Few preferred to make decisions alone or rely solely on their doctor's opinion. However, many contradictory statements were made during the course of the interview about preferences for decision making. Most (89%) cited their provider as someone with whom they discuss health issues, yet 57% had not discussed screening with their provider even though they were in the target age range for screening. In order to meet current guidelines, it may be necessary to provide patients with skills to initiate or facilitate a discussion about prostate cancer screening with their provider.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Recognize common themes that men associate with prostate cancer screening.
• Understand patient preferences for shared decision making about screening tests.
• List examples of how men view discussing prostate cancer screening with their health care providers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation