Online Program

335635
Understanding the Experience of Prostate Cancer Screening Decision Making of Heterosexual Caribbean American and African American Men and their Partners


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Horatius Gittens, Ph.D.(C), Counseling and Family Scicences, Loma Linda University, Yucaipa, CA
Study Background: Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among men worldwide accounting for about 12% of all male cancer cases.  Its incidence and mortality vary by country and racial/ethnic backgrounds, but men of African descent are at higher risk for prostate cancer while African Americans and Caribbean Americans have the highest global rates of prostate cancer. Additionally, this group demonstrates higher mortality rates, poorer post diagnosis survival rates, multiple negative prostate cancer related outcomes, and unique barriers to screening decisions and behaviors compared to men of European descent. Prostate cancer screening decisions and behaviors are critical to early detection, early intervention, and treatment. This study explored the experience of prostate cancer screening decisions and behaviors among heterosexual African American and Caribbean American couples.

Study’s Methodology: We conducted a qualitative research using Focus Group interviews with 26 men and 24 women.  Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed for emerging themes.

Study’s Results: Four main themes emerged in this study attempting to understand the screening decision making process of the target population. The themes were: 1) uniquely acquired health related familial conceptualizations, 2) settled mindset conditioning meaning of experiences, 3) meaning and motivations generated in relationships contexts, and 4) culturally rooted patterns of meaning.  Masculinity issues and partner’s pressure to screen and/or seek treatment proved salient.

Conclusion

Facing the de-emphasis on screening US Black men and their partners have the added burden to seek screening. Culturally specific programs should target both groups to generate improved screening behaviors.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the experience of prostate cancer screening making processes among heterosexual African American and Caribbean American men and their partners Explain the unique issues influencing the screening decisions of African American and Caribbean American men in heterosexual relationships. Identify the unique themes that emerge as central in influencing the prostate cancer screening decisions within heterosexual African American and Caribbean American couple relationships. Design intervention strategies based on culturally appropriate and informed details to better reach and influence heterosexual African American and Caribbean American men in dyadic relationships. Design quantitative studies to help in better explicating the hypotheses generated from a well done qualitative study that explored the prostate cancer screening decision experience of a significant minority sector of the American population.

Keyword(s): Cancer and Men’s Health, Family Involvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Ph.D. candidate in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy who has already successfully defended my dissertation. I have also completed a Master's Degree in Psychology and have been engaged in over six years of progressive therapy in multiple clinical settings. I have done presentations at other conferences on other topics.This will be the first conference in which I am presenting on the topic which is related to my doctoral studies.
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.