Exploring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Testing rates and screening disparities in the all of us dataset.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine prostate cancer (PCa) screening disparities among ethnic groups in the U.S. using the All of Us database.

Material and methods: White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian males ≥ 40 years old were included, excluding diagnosis's that conflict with PCa screening. We analyzed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening rates by age based on American Urological Association guidelines, using multivariable logistic regression (MLR) and a Cox time-to-event models that considered race, age, income, education, insurance, and home ownership as independent variables. Initial screening ages and biopsy rates were also compared.

Results: Of 56,473 individuals, 18,088 had PSA measurements: 74% White, 15% Black, 9% Hispanic, and 2% Asian. Hispanic (20%) and Black (21%) minorities were less likely to undergo PSA screening compared to White men (39%, P < 0.001). However, minorities had their initial PSA earlier with their first test from 53-54 years old compared to White men at 58 years (P < 0.001). MLR revealed race, age, income, education, insurance type, and home ownership as screening predictors (P < 0.001). Screened Black men had higher odds of an elevated PSA (P < 0.001), but the likelihood of receiving a biopsy postelevated PSA did not significantly differ from White men (P = 0.821). Additionally, those screened at age ≥ 70 were more likely to be White, have at least a college education, and be homeowners (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: White men, despite starting at a later age, are screened with PSAs more frequently than minorities, and often undergo screening at older ages outside the recommended guidelines. Black men did not have a higher rate of biopsy after having an elevated PSA compared to White men.