Prostate cancer video increases knowledge, intentions for PSA screening

A 10-minute culturally sensitive educational video on prostate cancer was shown to improve knowledge of the disease and reduce uncertainty about receiving a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening test among a diverse group of men, according to recent data presented at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.¹

The investigators plan to continue evaluating the utility of the prostate cancer video during community outreach events in Philadelphia in 2024.

The initiative was piloted by the Community Outreach and Engagement team at the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

“We know that cancer screenings save lives, and part of our work is to dispel the myths and misconceptions around screening to help ensure that individuals from all backgrounds understand their screening options. The idea of a physical prostate exam is off-putting to many men, so we want them to know that a simple, non-invasive blood test to check PSA levels is also an option to screen for prostate cancer,” said senior author Carmen Guerra, MD, in a news release on the study.² Guerra is a professor and vice chair of diversity and inclusion in the division of internal medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine and an associate director of diversity and outreach at the ACC at the University of Pennsylvania.

The 10-minute educational video used for the study featured a conversation between a urologist and a local pastor of Black race who is a prostate cancer survivor. In the discussion, the 2 covered prostate cancer facts, screening information, and addressed myths.

Overall, data showed an increase in participant knowledge in 5 of the 10 items on the Prostate Cancer Knowledge Scale (P < .05) following the video. Further, the investigators noted a decrease in all 10 items on the Decisional Conflict Scale (P < .001). After watching the video, 93% of participants expressed intentions to receive a PSA test.

Additionally, 98% of patients indicated that the information provided by the video was useful, and 94% of patients said that the video had the potential to increase prostate cancer knowledge among Black men.

“By helping more men, especially those in at-risk populations, understand the benefits of prostate cancer screening, we hope to find cancer earlier, when it can be more easily treated. The overwhelming positive survey feedback to the video tells us that we’re on the right track to developing a useful resource that resonates with audience it’s meant to reach,” added lead author Mallorie C. Jones, MA, a project manager in internal medicine and member of the ACC Community Outreach and Engagement team, in the news release.²

In total, the study included 619 men who viewed the prostate cancer video across 14 community health events from April 2023 to December 2023. At the events, men were also able to receive a free PSA blood test.

All participants included in the study were 40 years of age or older, with an average age of 51 years (SD, 10.69). Among all patients, 47% were Black, 65% were married, 98% had at least a high school education, and 76% were employed full-time.

Before watching the video, participants completed socio-demographic items, a 10-item Prostate Cancer Knowledge Scale assessment, and a 10-item Decisional Conflict Scale assessment. After watching the video, the participants again completed the Prostate Cancer Scale and Decisional Conflict Scale assessments, in addition to a question on intention to screen and a 10-item video satisfaction measure. Each participant in the study received a $10 gift card upon completion of the questionnaires.

According to the news release on the study,² the investigators plan to continue evaluating the utility of the prostate cancer video during community outreach events in Philadelphia in 2024. Using participant feedback, the team will make adjustments to the video to make the content more accessible and relevant, especially among Spanish speakers, with the ultimate goal of making the video available to other organizations as an educational resource.

References

1. Jones MC, Buckley W, Elie E, et al. A culturally sensitive video increases prostate cancer screening knowledge and reduces decisional conflict in a population of diverse men. Presented at: 2024 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. San Diego, California. April 5-10, 2024. Abstract LB371

2. AACR: Video educates and connects men to prostate cancer screening options. News release. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. April 5, 2024. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://www.newswise.com/articles/aacr-video-educates-and-connects-men-to-prostate-cancer-screening-options