Results of a men's urological health screening program at Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems

Introduction: Men are less likely to use preventive services than women, perhaps because of a perceived lack of timely access to healthcare. This paper reports the results of the Men's Health Screening Program offered by Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems in Marietta, Georgia, USA. Methods: Volunteer male employees were screened at the work site for prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and erectile dysfunction (ED). Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal examination (DRE) were used to detect prostate cancer. DRE and a urologic health questionnaire were used to detect BPH. An erectile dysfunction questionnaire was used to screen for ED. Results: Of the 4877 eligible male employees, 317 (6.5%) participated in the medical screening program. Two were found to have prostate cancer, one of whom had a previous diagnosis of prostate cancer. Using the results from both a urologic health questionnaire and the DRE test, 46 men were found to have BPH; however, only 30 noted a prior diagnosis of BPH. 273 men completed the ED questionnaire; 22-44 of the ED respondents reported frequent difficulties with one or more aspects of the sexual experience, but only 13 had sought prior treatment. 300 participants completed a short satisfaction survey, and 40 of these respondents were randomly selected for analysis. Of these 40 respondents, 60% said the program was either 'good' or 'great', and 95% agreed that the program had a beneficial impact on their ability to work. Conclusions: Some unmet need for care was noted. To address this, disease management professionals can help employers bring preventive care to the work site, at little or no cost to the employee, with benefits accruing to employers and employees alike.