Kelsey Research Foundation

Publications - Abstracts
Men's Health

"Improving the quality of patient care & health outcomes through research & education."

Menís Health

The following article was published in AM J Public Health, 2004 Aug; 94 (8): 1336-8

Do men know that they have had a prostate-specific antigen test? Accuracy of self-reports of testing at 2 sites.

Evelyn C. Y. Chan1, Chul Ahn1, Sally W. Vernon2 and Anthony Greisinger, Ph.D. 3

1University of TexasñHouston Medical School

2University of TexasñHouston School of Public Health

3Kelsey Research Foundation

This study determined the accuracy of self-reports of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Men (N = 402) attending 2 outpatient clinics were asked: "Did you have a PSA test today?" and their medical records were checked. Concordance, sensitivity, and false-negative values were 65%, 67%, and 33%, respectively, at 1 clinic site and 88%, 64%, and 36% at the other. The accuracy of self-reports of PSA testing should be interpreted with caution.
 

Menís Health

The following article was published in Am J Public Health, 2003 May; 93(5): 779-85

Informed consent for cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen: how well are men getting the message

Evelyn C. Y. Chan1, Frederick T. OíDonnell1, Chul Ahn1, Sally W. Vernon2, Anthony Greisinger3, Donnie W. Aga4

1University of TexasñHouston Medical School

2University of TexasñHouston School of Public Health

3 Kelsey Research Foundation

4Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

Objectives: This study examined knowledge about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening among African Americans and Whites. Because PSA screening for prostate cancer is controversial, professional organizations recommend informed consent for screening.

Methods: Men (n = 304) attending outpatient clinics were surveyed for their knowledge about and experience with screening.

Results: Most men did not know the key facts about screening with PSA. African Americans appeared less knowledgeable than Whites, but these differences were mediated by differences in educational level and experience with prostate cancer screening.

Conclusions: Public health efforts to improve informed consent for prostate cancer screening should focus on highlighting the key facts and developing different approaches for men at different levels of formal education and prior experience with screening.