Screening behavior in brothers and sons of men with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We identified factors associated with screening behavior in the brothers and sons of men with prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We contacted 837 men with prostate cancer to invite their 40 to 70-year-old brothers or sons to participate in this study. We mailed the brothers and sons who contacted us a survey to explore sociodemographic and medical characteristics, prostate cancer family history, prostate cancer knowledge, self-efficacy, barriers to screening, perceived benefits, perceived vulnerability and medical support.

RESULTS

Of the 138 candidates who participated in the study 86 (62%) had undergone prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination within the last 2 years. Men older than 50 years, those who had discussed prostate cancer screening with their physician, those with good knowledge of recommended screening frequency and those with no co-morbidity had undergone screening more often than others.

CONCLUSIONS

Physician support and prostate cancer screening knowledge were positively associated with previous screening. Effective interventions to increase screening in families at risk should target physicians.