Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Biopsy-proven localized prostate cancer

- Has received treatment for prostate cancer

- Patient self-identifies as being of African-American descent

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Able to speak and read in English

- Has an address in order to receive study materials by mail (a street address or post
office box)

- Has either a telephone in order to be interviewed OR is able to meet the principal
investigator at the Veterans Administration prostate clinic and be interviewed there

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics