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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
Published on: November 2, 2013
Prostate cancer testing: behaviour, motivation and attitudes among Western Australian men
T J Slevin1, N Donnelly, J P Clarkson
1Cancer Foundation of Western Australia, Perth. terry@cancerwa.asn.au
Objective:
To estimate the proportion of Western Australian men aged 40-80 years who had been tested for prostate cancer, their experiences of screening and perception of its benefit.
Design And Setting:
Cross-sectional survey (random telephone survey) of Western Australian men conducted in February 1998.
Participants:
400 men aged 40-80 years from 670 eligible households (60% response rate from contactable households with eligible men).
Main Outcome Measures:
Proportion of respondents tested for prostate cancer (by prostate-specific antigen [PSA] test or digital rectal examination); reasons for having been tested; information provided by the doctor before testing; reasons given for and beliefs about the benefits of testing.
Results:
Of 391 asymptomatic men, 220 (56%) recalled having been tested for prostate cancer and 167 (43%) had had a PSA test. Of those tested, 86% had their first test in the previous five years. The two most common reasons for testing were media publicity and general practitioner recommendation. Thirty-eight per cent of men tested during the previous five years reported that the doctor did not discuss the "pros and cons" of the test; 39% reported a discussion of less than five minutes' duration; 17% were given printed information before undergoing the test for the first time. Half were "very convinced" of the benefits of testing for prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
Men are being tested for prostate cancer with minimal pretest counselling or written information.
