Statewide prostate cancer screening practices among primary care physicians

Prostate cancer screening is controversial because definitive data supporting its use are lacking. This study was designed to evaluate the prostate cancer screening practices of Vermont primary care physicians. A survey including questions on the use of digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and practice demographics was mailed to 383 actively practicing Vermont primary care physicians. The most current guidelines for prostate cancer screening from various national professional organization also were reviewed. The majority of surveyed Vermont primary care physicians reported routinely using DRE and PSA testing for prostate cancer screening. Variability was seen in the age at which screening began, with a large number of participants continuing to actively screen men more than 79 years old. With screening guidelines from various professional organizations differing and with the increasing media focus on prostate cancer, there is a need to unify these guidelines.