Demographic, behavioral, psychosocial, and dietary correlates of cancer screening in African Americans.
OBJECTIVE
We examined demographic, behavioral, psychosocial, and dietary correlates of prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer screening in a population-based sample of African Americans in North Carolina (n=405).


METHODS
Cross-sectional data of African Americans in North Carolina were analyzed using linear regression models.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight percent of men had obtained prostate screening (PSA test) and 81% of women had received breast cancer screening (mammogram) during the previous two years. Screening rates for CRC were lower (48% women, 31% men in the previous ten years). Older age, college education, and being married were associated with all screening modalities, as was belief in a diet-cancer relationship with PSA testing and mammography. There were correlations of former smoking, obesity, and healthy eating self-efficacy with PSA testing, and family/personal cancer history with CRC screening. Screening for all cancers was associated with lower fat consumption, and PSA testing with high fruit/vegetable intake (p<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer screening was prevalent, but rates did not approach national targets. Knowledge of these correlates can be used to design effective cancer screening interventions for African Americans.
Satia
Jessie A
JA
Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599, USA. jsatia@unc.edu
Galanko
Joseph A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen