PROSTATE-CANCER SCREENING IN THE MIDST OF CONTROVERSY - CANADIAN MENSKNOWLEDGE, BELIEFS, UTILIZATION, AND FUTURE INTENTIONS

Despite controversy about prostate cancer screening, administrative da ta show that the use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing in Can ada has increased. This study sought to determine awareness and knowle dge of prostate cancer and screening, use to date, and future intentio ns to have a digital rectal examination (DRE) and PSA test among Canad ian men aged 40 and over. Data were collected through a Canada-wide cr oss-sectional random digit dial telephone survey of 629 men. Awareness of DRE and PSA, use to date, and future intended use varied with age and education. Although only 9% of respondents had had PSA testing for screening, future intentions to undergo this test were higher than us e to date. Knowledge of prostate cancer and screening controversies wa s low, and men received more information about PSA from the media than from doctors. Men would, therefore, benefit from age- and education-s pecific information regarding the factors to consider in making an inf ormed choice about prostate cancer screening.