Culture, black men, and prostate cancer: what is reality? (original) (raw)

Cancer control: journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center

The worldwide incidence of prostate cancer is higher among American black men than any other male group. In the United States, lack of participation in screening for prostate cancer by black men is influenced by several cultural factors, including knowledge, health beliefs, barriers, and relationships with primary healthcare providers. We used the qualitative and paralleling descriptive quantitative findings of a mixed-method longitudinal study exploring prostate cancer screening behaviors among 277 black men. Five themes were identified as critical elements affecting men's screening for prostate cancer: lack of knowledge, communication, social support, quality of care, and sexuality. These themes were associated with a sense of disconnectedness by black men from the healthcare system and contributed to nonparticipation in prostate cancer early detection activities. Lack of discussion about the decision to screen for prostate cancer and general lack of culturally appropriate com...