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Trans-vivo Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Assay for Antigen Specific Regulation
Published on: May 2, 2013
Patterns of prostate-specific antigen testing by remoteness of residence and socio-economic status: An Australian
Ross J S Calopedos1,2, Albert Bang1, Peter Baade3,4,5
1Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Objective:
Describes the variation in prostate cancer testing by the remoteness of residence and socio-economic status groups in Australia.
Design:
A national population-based descriptive study using Medicare data extracted by the Department of Health (formerly the Department of Health and Ageing).
Setting:
Australia.
Participants:
All men, with a Medicare-reimbursed prostate-specific antigen test conducted in Australia between 2002 and 2017, were included. We focused on "screening and case finding" tests (Medicare Benefits Schedule item number 66655) from 1 April 2005 to 31 December 2009, to describe testing differences in subgroups. Groups were categorised into State and Territory, socio-economic status and region of residence. A negative binomial regression model was fitted to measure the incidence rate ratios of those who had a screening prostate-specific antigen test by group.
Main Outcome Measures:
Age-standardised testing rates and incidence rate ratios.
Results:
Between 2002 and 2017, 11 588 775 screening prostate-specific antigen tests were reimbursed by the Department of Human Services. During 2005-2009, 52% of all Australian men, aged 40 years and over, had a screening test. The incidence rate ratios differed by State and Territory. Men aged 40 years and over, living in very remote areas, were 43% less likely to have had a screening test than residents of major cities. Prostate-specific antigen testing rates fell in all age groups between 2007 and 2009 and 2017.
Conclusions:
The prostate-specific antigen testing behaviour differs between community groups in Australia. Men were less likely to have had a screening prostate-specific antigen test the farther they lived from the major cities. This highlights the need for a more targeted approach to achieve an equitable and evidence-based prostate cancer care across all sectors of the community.
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