Prostate cancer screening among military service members.

Abstract

This retrospective study investigated the characteristic of military male beneficiaries age 50 years and older who were screened for prostate cancer at a medical center in the Pacific Regional Command. Data were collected on male patients who were seen in three adult outpatient clinics from December 1999 through November 2001. Two research questions were asked: What are the characteristics of men age 50 and older who were screened for prostate cancer? Are there variations in prostate cancer screening based on age, ethnicity, and military status? Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The sample was predominantly Caucasian and Asian/Pacific Islander who were over age 67. Although there was evidence of screening in 68% of the sample, 13% of the men had been screened according to the American Cancer Society's recommendations. The findings support the need for a prostate cancer screening policy for the Department of Defense.