Prostate cancer knowledge and beliefs among black and white older men in rural and urban counties

Background. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States. In this report, we describe prostate cancer knowledge and beliefs among subgroups of men and compare knowledge and beliefs with perceived personal risk. Methods. We administered a random-digit-dialed telephone survey to 235 respondents. Results. Risk factor knowledge was lowest among rural Black men. Beliefs across subgroups were more similar than were knowledge levels. Of the urban White men, 26% perceived their risk for prostate cancer as high compared to 10% for other groups. Predictors of low-to-no-or-uncertain self-perceived risk included not knowing that age increases risk. Conclusions. Many Georgia men appear to have low levels of knowledge about prostate cancer, especially personal risk. Educational and counseling interventions might assist such men in making informed screening decisions.