A review of prostate-specific antigen screening prevalence and risk perceptions for first-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer.
First-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer have a higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than men without a family history. The present review examines the prevalence and predictors of testing in first-degree relatives, perceptions of risk, prostate cancer knowledge and psychological consequences of screening. Medline, PsycInfo and Cinahl databases were searched for articles examining risk perceptions or screening practices of first-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer for the period of 1990 to August 2007. Eighteen studies were eligible for inclusion. First-degree relatives participated in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing more and perceived their risk of prostate cancer to be higher than men without a family history. Family history factors (e.g. being an unaffected son rather than an unaffected brother) were consistent predictors of PSA testing. Studies were characterized by sampling biases and a lack of longitudinal assessments. Prospective, longitudinal assessments with well-validated and comprehensive measures are needed to identify factors that cue the uptake of screening and from this develop an evidence base for decision support. Men with a family history may benefit from targeted communication about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer testing that responds to the implications of their heightened risk.
McDowell
M E
ME
School of Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
Occhipinti
S
S
Gardiner
R A
RA
Baade
P D
PD
Steginga
S K
SK
D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010375:Pedigree; D010465:Perception; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen