Cancer screening in Queensland men

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cancer screening tests like prostate-specific antigen (PSA), faecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), and skin examinations are crucial for early detection.
• Understanding screening practices and associated factors in specific populations is vital for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the self-reported use of PSA tests, FOBTs, and skin examinations for cancer screening among Queensland men.
• To identify reasons for test use and characteristics of men undergoing screening.
• To analyze the prevalence and predictors of cancer screening in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Queensland Cancer Risk Study (QCRS), a 2004 population-based telephone survey.
• Included 2336 men aged 50-75 years, sampled randomly and stratified by age, sex, and location.
• Assessed self-reported use of PSA, FOBT, and skin examinations for screening, and their association with sociodemographic factors, risk behaviors, and cancer history.

Main Results:

• Over one-third of men reported never undergoing screening for prostate, colorectal, or skin cancer.
• PSA testing was reported more frequently than skin examinations (OR 2.54) and FOBTs (OR 0.48).
• Screening participants were typically older, white, partnered, and had private insurance; smokers were less likely to be screened.

Conclusions:

• Faecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), despite strong evidence for mortality reduction, are the least utilized cancer screening method among Queensland men.
• Significant disparities exist in the reported prevalence of these three cancer screening tests across different population subgroups.
• Further research and targeted interventions are needed to address underutilization and improve equitable access to effective cancer screening.