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Religion, Fatalism, and Cancer Control: Findings from a qualitative study among Hispanic Catholic parishioners
Methods: Eight semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted among 67 Hispanic Catholics in Massachusetts. Interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive/deductive qualitative methods.
Results: We found few references to fatalistic beliefs about cancer and nearly universal endorsement of the utility of cancer screening for cancer prevention and early detection. Most participants indicated that religious teachings and beliefs encouraged the use of health services, including cancer screening. Participants wanted to be educated about strategies to prevent, screen, and treat disease, such as cancer. Although participants agreed that God plays an active role in health, many affirmed the importance of self-agency in determining cancer outcomes.
Conclusions: So-called fatalistic attitudes about cancer were not common among this sample. When present, they emerged alongside beliefs about the value of cancer screening tests for early detection and better outcomes. This ambivalence suggests that traditional understandings of fatalism are not always mutually exclusive with the notion of self-agency in the context of cancer screening. These findings also challenge assumptions that fatalism is an overriding perspective among Hispanics regarding health matters, and that belief in diving control gives rise to fatalistic beliefs. Catholic religious beliefs may buffer fatalism among low-income Hispanics. Implications for health communication and interventions are discussed.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsAssessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions about cancer prevention and screening among a sample of Hispanic Catholics.
Explain how Catholic religious teachings and beliefs may deter, buffer, and possibility even challenge cancer fatalism among low-income Hispanics.
Illustrate potential linkages between religion, health behaviors, and health outcomes among Hispanics.
Keyword(s): Cancer Prevention and Screening, Health Promotion and Education
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a full-time research fellow at the National Cancer Institute, where I conduct research related to health behavior theory, methods, and interventions for cancer prevention and control. I have received extensive training in the social and behavioral sciences, mixed methods, and community-based participatory research methods as part of my pre-doctoral fellowship. My past research has examined psychological, sociocultural, and contextual factors that influence cancer-related behaviors, with a focus on healthcare utilization and cancer screening.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.