This study explored older men's and their partners' reactions to a television 
news program on the medical debate surrounding the use of the prostate-specific 
antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer screening. Six focus groups, split by 
gender and socio-economic status (SES), were conducted with men aged 50 years or 
older (n = 28) and female partners of such men (n = 13). A self-completion 
questionnaire was also used to yield quantitative indices. In general, viewers 
appeared to appreciate from the debate that there was controversy surrounding 
prostate cancer screening, and they recognized that PSA testing is more 
applicable to certain subgroups of men. Although there were differences by SES 
and gender, the results suggest that exposing health consumers to medical 
uncertainty and "expert" conflict can help raise awareness of the issue and 
complexities involved. However, there was evidence to suggest that health 
consumers may be better able to negotiate conflicting medical information if the 
different sides of the argument are plainly noted and a clear distinction is 
made between opinion and evidence. This study has broader relevance to the 
management of media coverage of medical controversies by public health 
organizations.