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[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

Assessing prostate cancer needs among African American men in St. Louis

Ricardo J. Wray, PhD1, Stephanie McClure, MPH2, and Kathryn Stamps, BS2. (1) Health Communication Research Laboratory, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104, 314-977-4075, wray@slu.edu, (2) Health Communication Research Laboratory, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104

The project sought to gain a greater understanding of the individual, interpersonal, social, institutional and environmental factors that influence decision-making about prostate cancer screening, treatment, and participation in clinical trials among African-American men in St. Louis. Racial disparities in the burden of cancer are particularly marked in prostate cancer, with a mortality rate for African American men more than double that for their White counterparts, both nationally and in Missouri. This project sought to answer the question, "What are the barriers and potential solutions to the delivery of effective prostate cancer care to African American men in the city of Saint Louis?" Key informant interviews with 20 community leaders and six focus groups with healthy men and survivors were conducted to address the question. The study's conceptual framework included inquiries at the social, cultural, institutional, community and individual levels. Study findings encountered substantial barriers to care, including low levels of knowledge about prostate cancer care, fear, mistrust, an ethic of not visiting the doctor if not ill, financial barriers, and preeminence of other life concerns. Opportunities were identified to: mount a campaign to raise awareness; build partnerships with community-based organizations to provide outreach and services and to build trust; and develop service delivery models that meet the needs of African American men.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives