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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Allyson Hall, PhD¹, Amal Khoury, PhD¹, Ellen Lopez, PhD, MPH¹, Nedra Lisovicz, PhD, MPH, CHES², Amanda Avis, MPH, CHES³, and Amal Mitra, MD, DrPH³. (1) College of Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, PO Box 100185, Gainesville, FL 32611, 352-273-5129, hallag@ufl.edu, (2) University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1717 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, (3) University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Background: Cancer fatalism, the ‘belief that cancer is a death sentence' has been shown to be a deterrent to participation in cancer screening.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine predictors of breast cancer fatalism among women.

Methods: We examined data from a 2003 statewide telephone survey of women 40+ years living in Mississippi. Bivariate and multivariate analysis compared women who strongly agreed or agreed to women who strongly disagreed or disagreed with the statement: ‘breast cancer is a death sentence'. Respondents with a history of breast cancer were excluded from the analysis.

Results: Women who were older, less educated, African American, and had a family history of breast cancer were more likely to hold a fatalistic attitude towards the disease. Other characteristics (household income, marital status, and perceived health status) were not associated with a fatalistic attitude. Women who rated their overall quality of care negatively, and indicated that they believed that ‘doctors hide information from people of their race' were also likely to report a fatalistic attitude, as were women who thought that ‘breast cancer cannot be cured if found early' and that ‘treatment can be worse than the disease'.

Discussion: Women who mistrusted the health care system, and held negative attitudes about treatment were more likely to be fatalistic. Programs aimed at addressing negative perceptions about breast cancer and health care may diminish fatalistic beliefs, thus improving rates of screening, and potentially increasing rates of breast cancer survival.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Understand the concept and definitions of breast cancer fatalism.
• Be knowledgeable about the applicability of survey based methodology to examine health beliefs in a population.
• Describe sociodemographic characteristics and attitudes and beliefs associated with breast cancer fatalism.
• Apply findings from this study to help determine future directions for programs that are targeted and tailored toward populations at risk for non-adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation