What Do Limited English Proficient Latinos Want to Know About Prostate Cancer and Prostate Cancer Screening?

Background and Research: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among males over the age of 50 in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer death. Latino men are more likely to present with advanced-stage prostate cancer than non-Latino whites. Latino men may receive fewer prostate cancer screening services, including the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, than other populations due to less knowledge of and perceived need for cancer prevention services, fatalistic attitudes about cancer and language barriers due to limited English proficiency (LEP). Lack of professional consensus for the PSA test provides an opportunity for patients to participate in decisions on PSA testing for prostate cancer screening. Study and Population: We present findings from the first phase of a study designed to understand and improve shared decision making on PSA testing between LEP Latinos and health care providers when interpreters help facilitate communication during health visits. We held two focus groups with LEP Latino men with a history of PSA testing to elicit their recommendations on strategies that could assist patients to share in decisions on PSA testing. Findings: Recommendations include raising awareness of prostate cancer, prostate cancer screening, and the benefits and drawbacks of PSA testing via video and print materials and public service announcements. Participants also suggested that active engagement with educational materials during health visits could prompt provider-patient conversation and decisions. Conclusion: These multi-pronged recommendations may be useful to providers and researchers interested in tailoring shared decision approaches on prostate cancer screening for LEP Latinos.