Prostate cancer screening survey among African-Americans and their partners

Abstract

Problem and Significance: Prostate cancer (PC) is a potentially deadly disease that causes increased mortality rates in African-Americans. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer occurs more frequently in African-American men than in men of other races. African-American men are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage, and are more than twice as likely to die of PC as White men. Purpose: The purpose of this translational research project was to survey adult African-Americans and their partners to explore inhibitors and facilitators to PC screening. Methods: A total of 125 adult participants were recruited onsite at community health fairs in Los Angeles County to participate in a PC screening survey. Survey questions elicited information about age, gender, educational background, and personal and family PC screening history. The project used a cross-sectional design. Data Analysis: All data were entered in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20. First, univariate descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample of AA and partners; means and standard deviations for continuous variables such as age and education; and percentages for categorical variables such as gender. Second, bivariate analysis was used to answer research questions 1 and 2. For research question 1, chi-square-test was used to compare male and female survey question responses. For research question 2, individual chi-square tests were used for the variables (age, years of education, prior personal and family PCS history; and prior personal and family history of PC diagnosis) to assess the effect of these variables on the responses to the PC screening survey. Results: The mean age of participants was 52.44 years (SD=12.36 years); 76% were AA; 39% had college/technical graduate school. Among the AA men, two (3%) had prostate cancer, 22% had family member/friend with PC, and 31% received PC screening education. Both AA and their partners had similar screening-related behavior and beliefs about its myths (p>0.05). Significant difference was found between AA and their partners in emotional concerns (people doing prostate exams are rude, having a prostate cancer screening is embarrassing for my loved one) (p<0.05). Implications for Nursing: AA men and their partners had similar PC screening-related behavior, but differ in their emotional concerns. Participants need supplementary PC screening-related education to make an informed decision regarding follow-up and treatment. A culturally and linguistically appropriate education program to increase awareness/participation in PC screening and clinical trials is needed for AA.