Words of wisdom: Re: Population-based patterns and predictors of prostate-specific antigen screening among older men in the United States.

摘要

Data on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening were obtained from the US National Health Interview Survey, which involves face-to-face interviews with a random sample of the US population. The study focused on close to 15 000 men aged >40 and asked specifically about cancer screening, that is, PSA tests during a routine physical exam rather than as monitoring in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Close to 25% of men reported a PSA test in the previous year; however, there were gross disparities by age, with rates <10% in men aged <50 compared to 45% in those aged 65-75. There were very high rates of screening in older men, with 44%, 36%, and 25% undergoing PSA tests at ages 75-79, 80-84, and >85, respectively. The rate of screening was higher in men aged >85 compared to those aged 50-54. Although age and life expectancy affected screening rates, this effect was moderate. Of men aged >70 with a >50% risk of death within 5 yr, close to a third underwent a PSA screening test.