Prostate cancer among African American men continues to rise in the United States at a faster rate than for White men, and is among the highest rates in the world. The incidence of prostate cancer in African American men is estimated to be 66% higher than for white men.
In 1990, there were less that 400 cases among American men of Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino heritage. Among Korean Americans, Vietnamese, and Hawaiian ancestry, there were less than 40 cases, and 727 cases among Hispanic men. Native American, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino men each had less than 70 deaths during the same time period.
The mortality rate for this disease is also dramatically two-fold higher among African American men versus the highest mortality rate of other racial and ethnic groups. African American men tend to have prostate cancer diagnosed in later stages. A high prostate cancer mortality rate also has been noted among other Black men of African heritage - in Brazil and Jamaica, and sub-Saharan Africa. This presentation will discuss six focus groups that were conducted with 58 African American men from a cross-section of the Durham, NC community. There were several themes, including inhibiting factors that are barriers to prostate cancer screening and encouraging factors that can facilitate early detection.
To reduce mortality rates in African American men, health care providers need to make a concerted effort to increase education about prostate cancer screening. To be effective, motivation of African American men must include healthcare providers and the consumer/community.
Learning Objectives: At the Conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: Discuss concerns, attitudes, and beliefs about prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening among African American men that impact health behavior. Articulate cultural factors that may affect African American men's decision-making to accept prostate cancer screening. Recognize health care and community-based strategies necessary to increase participation in prostate cancer screening.
Keywords: Cancer Screening, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: United States Department of Defense will be recognized for their funding of this project
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.