The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3206.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - 1:10 PM

Abstract #44848

Targeting Prostate Cancer Screening Messages to Men of Color

Kaia Gallagher, PhD, Center for Research Strategies LLC, 225 East 16th Avenue, Suite 1150, Denver, CO 80203, (303) 860-1705, kaia.gallagher@crsllc.org, Amie Staudenmaier, MEd, Center for Research Strategies, 225 East 16th Avenue, Suite 1150, Denver, CO 80203, and Sara Miller, MPA, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, A-5, Denver, CO 80246.

TARGETING PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING MESSAGES TO MEN OF COLOR

Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years of age. Among all men, African-American men have the highest incidence rate of prostate cancer and the highest death rates. Screening options such as the rectal exam and the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test offer opportunities for early identification of cancerous conditions. This project is part of a larger intervention being undertaken by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to address prostate cancer in the state of Colorado. The focus of this sub-study has been to understand the barriers to prostate cancer screening among men of color. Twelve focus groups have been conducted with Colorado men between 50 and 64; six of these groups have been held with African-American and six groups with Hispanic men. The findings of these groups reveal barriers to screening common to all of the men interviewed, as well as pointing to more specific issues particular to different racial/ethnic groups. A particular emphasis within the groups has been to learn ways in which messages about prostate cancer screening can be developed that are more likely to appeal to men of color. Strategies have also been identified that can be used by health care providers to encourage regular screening among men at high risk for this disease.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Increasing Cancer Screening Rates in Communities of Color

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA