Classifying the Reasons Men Consider to be Important in Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing Decisions: Evaluating Risks, Lay Beliefs, and Informed Decisions

Abstract

Background

Despite uncertainty regarding the benefits of prostate cancer screening, many men have had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

Purpose

This study aims to identify classes of reasons guiding men's decisions about prostate cancer screening and predict reasoning approaches by family history and prior screening behaviour.

Methods

First-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer (n = 207) and men from the general population (n = 239) of Australia listed reasons they considered when deciding whether to have a PSA test.

Results

Responses were coded into 31 distinct categories. Latent class analysis identified three classes. The evaluation of risk information cues class (20.9 %) contained a greater number of men with a family history (compared with control and overcome cancer/risk class; 52.7 %). Informed decisions and health system class (26.5 %) included a lower proportion of men who had had a PSA test and greater proportions of highly educated and married men.

Conclusion

Understanding the reasons underlying men's screening decisions may lead to a more effective information provision and decision support.

PSA test, Family history, Decision making