UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: To identify and examine the associations between physician-patient discussions, demographic and health related variables and PSA test use among African American men

Methods:Using a sample of African American men (N=739) aged 40 years and older who had participated in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2000, we assessed demographic, health status, and other variables related to two PSA test use outcomes: (1) had a PSA test within the past year, and (2) had three or more PSA tests within the past five years.

Results:Almost 60% of our sample had the test and of those, three-fourths (76.6%) reported that their doctors had discussed with them the advantages and disadvantages of the PSA test before administering it. The bivariate analysis showed a number of variables positively associated with PSA test use including older age, having health insurance coverage and having participated in physician-patient discussions about the test.