Disability Status Linked With Lower Prostate Cancer Screening Rates
A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that men with disabilities, particularly mobility-related ones, are significantly less likely to receive prostate cancer screenings. Researchers urge physicians to avoid assumptions about patient needs and instead prioritize personalized discussions regarding screening benefits.
Why it matters
This highlights a critical healthcare disparity that may lead to delayed cancer diagnoses and poorer health outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Men with disabilities were significantly less likely to have undergone prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing than men without disabilities, according to results from a cross-sectional study of the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) published in JAMA Network Open.
Among a weighted sample of 5,058,866 US men aged 55 to 69 years, 62.7% (95% CI, 61.1%-64.3%) reported a history of PSA testing. Screening rates were lower among men with any disability than among those without (57.2% [95% CI, 54.2%-60.2%] vs 65.1% [95% CI, 63.2%-67.0%]; P <.001). After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, insurance status, comorbidities, and health behaviors, disability remained associated with lower odds of PSA testing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69-0.99; P = .046).
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in