Impact of the controversy over prostate cancer screening on the participation in a national, free, screening program between 2008 and 2011

INTRODUCTION: The controversy on prostate cancer screening has been widely publicized since 2009. We sought to assess the impact of this controversy during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW), a national prostate screening program for the years 2008 & 2011. METHODS: Comparing 2008 and 2011 PCAW national data. Demographic, social and health related information was collected via self-reported screening questionnaires. RESULTS: Data comparisons (significant values reported) between 2008 & 2011 show that 1.62% vs. 1.5% were 25-40 years of age; 26.4% vs. 25.3% were 41-55 years of age; 52% vs. 51.8% were 56-70 years of age; and 19.9% vs. 21.1 % were over 71 years of age respectively. Data on reasons for participating in the screenings were reported between 2008 & 2011 respectively as 7.8% vs. 3.2% believed they were at high risk; 24.7% vs. 11.6% due to being health conscious; 27% vs. 11.4% reported they were interested in overall men's health; 41.1% vs. 18.2% wanted to be certain they did not have prostate cancer; and 8.4% vs. 17.9% participated due to family history. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the media coverage on prostate cancer the age of men who participated in the screening events was not significantly impacted. The reasons for men participating has shifted significantly with fewer participating due to a concern of prostate cancer and more due to the family history risk factor. This may be indicative of an impact from media coverage where the need for treatment and disease mortality is often questioned while risk factors are more frequently mentioned.