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Prostate cancer screening practices: differences between clinic and private patients
The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, New York
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Prostate cancer screening rates differ significantly based on insurance and education. Private patients were much more likely to receive prostate-specific antigen screening and digital rectal exams compared to clinic patients.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Prostate cancer screening practices in general practice are not well-documented.
- Disparities in healthcare delivery exist between uninsured/Medicaid and privately insured patients at the primary care level.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in different patient populations.
- To compare prostate cancer screening rates between clinic-based and private practice settings.
Main Methods:
- A survey and chart/database review were conducted over one year at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
- 142 male patients over 40 (62 private practice, 80 clinic) completed interviews and PSA test records were reviewed.
- Patient demographics, insurance status, and education levels were recorded.
Main Results:
- Private practice patients were significantly more likely to have undergone PSA screening (six times) and both DRE and PSA screening (seven times) within the past year compared to clinic patients.
- No difference was observed in the frequency of DRE alone between the two groups.
- 25% of all patients did not receive a DRE for cancer screening.
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities exist in the utilization of recommended prostate cancer screening tests between privately insured and Medicaid/uninsured patient populations.
- Further research with larger populations is recommended to confirm these findings on prostate cancer screening disparities.