title: Gender differences in patients needs and concerns to diagnostic tests for possible cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the difference between the concerns of men and women prior to undergoing diagnostic tests for cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 129 outpatients completed a survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found between male and female patients; however, patients evaluated for gender-specific cancers reported a significantly (P < .01) higher mean score for concerns related to sexuality, reproductive ability, and intimate relationships. Almost half (46%) of the patients reported not receiving any or not enough information before the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men and women have similar concerns; however, there are significant differences in the concerns of patients undergoing a procedure for a gender-specific versus a non-gender-specific cancer. Some patients reported inadequate procedural information, suggesting that improvements are needed in communication and health education efforts.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, School of Public Health and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. katz-4@medctr.osu.edu
authors.forename: Mira L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Sheryl B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ruzek
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Legos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000523:psychology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography