Factors influencing prostate cancer screening decisions among African American men.
OBJECTIVE
Due to controversy regarding prostate cancer screening, it is imperative that African American men make informed decisions. Little is known about the role of cultural factors in decision-making for prostate cancer screening among African American men. The purposes of this study were: 1) to investigate components involved with decision-making for prostate cancer screening among African American men; and 2) to identify cultural factors that may influence screening decisions.


METHODS
Six focus group sessions were conducted consisting of African American men between the ages of 40 and 70.


RESULTS
Eight themes emerged from the discussions about prostate cancer screening. These themes were: 1) men's knowledge of prostate cancer and clinical services; 2) prostate cancer as a threat to manhood; 3) screening as a threat to manhood; 4) self-awareness of health and well-being; 5) value of screening; 6) convenience of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening; 7) misunderstanding of screening controversy; 8) distrust of the medical community; and 9) shared decision-making.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies cultural factors involved with decision-making for prostate cancer screening among African American men.
Sanchez
Michael A
MA
Health Services Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Bowen
Deborah J
DJ
Hart
Alton
A
Spigner
Clarence
C
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D003657:Decision Making; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014861:Washington