A change in practice: current urologic practice in response to reports concerning vasectomy and prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the practice patterns of urologists performing vasectomy in response to studies reporting an increased risk of prostate cancer in vasectomized men.


METHODS
A mailed survey.


METHODS
A university medical institution.


METHODS
One thousand five hundred randomly selected United States urologists under the age of 65 years.


METHODS
Urologists reported practice patterns of vasectomy in response to studies showing possible link between vasectomy and prostate cancer.


RESULTS
A response rate of 51% (759/1,500) was obtained. Although > 90% state that these studies have had little or no effect upon their practice of vasectomy, 27% screen vasectomized men earlier for prostate cancer, and 20% would be reluctant to recommend a vasectomy to a man with a strong family history of prostate cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Over one fourth of urologists who screen for prostate cancer have altered their screening patterns even though they responded that the studies have not affected their practice patterns.
Sandlow
J I
JI
Department of Urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
Kreder
K J
KJ
D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014572:Urology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data