A population-based survey of prostate cancer testing in New Mexico

Prostate cancer screening has increased dramatically in the past decade, but few studies have looked at population-based testing rates and the factors that influence testing. The objectives of our study were to estimate prostate cancer testing rates for New Mexican men 50 years or older and to identify patient factors associated with testing. We surveyed men using random-digit dialing. Subjects completed a 32-item questionnaire asking about prostate cancer testing; demographics; cancer knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs; health behaviors; and risks for prostate cancer. Associations between patient factors and testing were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression. Two hundred thirty-nine subjects (36% response rate) completed the survey; 95% had heard of prostate cancer and nearly 90% felt that testing was important. Forty-eight percent had been tested, most within the past year. Significant predictors for testing included receiving regular health care (odds ratio = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.07-4.33), being retired (OR = 2.49, 95 CI = 1.18-5.28), and having been diagnosed with prostatic hyperplasia (OR = 3.14, 95% CI = 1.30-7.59). Prostate cancer testing occurred frequently among New Mexican men. The study variables that were the most significant predictors of testing were all markers for access to health care.