Objective: To estimate the proportion of Western Australian men aged 40-80 years who had been tested for prostate cancer, their experiences of screening and perception of its benefit.
Design and setting: Cross-sectional survey (random telephone survey) of Western Australian men conducted in February 1998.
Participants: 400 men aged 40-80 years from 670 eligible households (60% response rate from contactable households with eligible men).
Main outcome measures: Proportion of respondents tested for prostate cancer (by prostate-specific antigen [PSA] test or digital rectal examination); reasons for having been tested; information provided by the doctor before testing; reasons given for and beliefs about the benefits of testing.
Results: Of 391 asymptomatic men, 220 (56%) recalled having been tested for prostate cancer and 167 (43%) had had a PSA test. Of those tested, 86% had their first test in the previous five years. The two most common reasons for testing were media publicity and general practitioner recommendation. Thirty-eight per cent of men tested during the previous five years reported that the doctor did not discuss the "pros and cons" of the test; 39% reported a discussion of less than five minutes' duration; 17% were given printed information before undergoing the test for the first time. Half were "very convinced" of the benefits of testing for prostate cancer.
Conclusions: Men are being tested for prostate cancer with minimal pretest counselling or written information.