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.
Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599, USA. jsatia@unc.edu
Jessie A
JA
Satia
Joseph A
JA
Galanko
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