Participants were asked how difficult it was for them to obtain a screening test for prostate cancer. The majority (76%) reported that it was not difficult, 15% thought that it was difficult and 9% reported that they did not know whether or not it was difficult to obtain a screening test for prostate cancer. A little more than half of the sample (54%) reported that they had a prostate test within the last year, at the time the survey was conducted, but 46% did not have a test within that year. As to whether screening for prostate cancer was part of their regular medical check-up, 58% reported yes and 42% indicated that this was not a part of their regular check-up. More Whites (62%) than Blacks (57%) said that prostate screening was part of their regular medical check-ups. As to whether their doctor discussed prostate cancer or the need for screening with them, 50% said yes while the other 50% said no.

The television ranked highest as their source of information about prostate cancer, followed by their doctor and brochures at health centers. Participants were asked about their knowledge about screening tests for prostate cancer. Of the sample, 67% indicated that they knew what screening tests are done for detecting prostate cancer. There were 33% that did not know. Participants were asked about their family history of prostate cancer. Twenty-five percent did not know about their family history, and 22% said that they had a relative with prostate cancer. Of the relatives who had prostate cancer, 38% were fathers, 17% brothers, 19% cousins, and the rest were other relatives.

Of those who indicated that they had a relative with prostate cancer approximately 30% of them said that they had a prostate test within the last year. Only 13% of respondents said that they had experienced having prostate cancer themselves or were told that they had an enlarged prostate. When comparing Blacks and Whites on this question, more Blacks (15%) than Whites (10%) were told that they had cancer of an enlarged prostate. They were asked if they had a personal family doctor and 81% said yes, however, there were some differences when comparing Blacks and Whites. More Whites (92%) than Blacks (77%) reported having a personal family physician they can see on a regular basis.

When responding to attitudes and beliefs about prostate cancer screening, 84% either agreed or strongly agreed that if they had prostate cancer it would be serious enough to want to do something about it. Over 65% felt that the blood test for prostate cancer, PSA can detect the cancer early, 33% were not sure what tests were actually carried out and 42% believed that screening would be uncomfortable. Those who felt that the screening would be uncomfortable were also less likely to get screened.