Perception of preventive health needs in a prostate-cancer screening population: a preliminary report

In follow-up of a screening program for prostate cancer, 192 men from the urban Denver area and 244 men from rural northeastern Colorado completed a mailed questionnaire addressing their health and medical care, insurance coverage, lifestyles, and desire for health education and screening programs. Rural respondents were older and more were self-insured. Twice as many urban men were prompted to participate in the prostate screening program by media announcements (51.0% vs 23.4%), while spouses (21.3% vs 9.4%) and physicians (13.1% vs 6.8%) played greater roles in motivating rural participants. The primary topics for health information and education needs perceived by the rural men were cancer-related, while those for urban men concentrated on cardiac risk factors. Both preferred that this information be provided in the form of written materials or through their personal physicians. This pilot study suggests certain differences in the present health practices, motivational factors, and health information and education needs in urban versus rural men. These differences should be explored further and be considered in the design of cancer prevention and screening programs for these populations.