Gender and ethnic differences in colorectal cancer screening embarrassment and physician gender preferences.
OBJECTIVE
To examine colorectal cancer (CRC) screening embarrassment among men and women from three ethnic groups and the associated physician gender preference by patient gender and ethnicity.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, purposive sampling.


METHODS
Urban community in Brooklyn, NY.


METHODS
A purpose-derived, convenience sample of 245 European American, African American, and immigrant Jamaican men and women (aged 45-70 years) living in Brooklyn, NY.


METHODS
Participants provided demographics and completed a comprehensive measure of CRC screening embarrassment.


METHODS
Participant gender and ethnicity, physician gender, and CRC screening embarrassment regarding feces or the rectum and unwanted physical intimacy.


RESULTS
As predicted, men and women both reported reduced fecal and rectal embarrassment and intimacy concern regarding same-gender physicians. As expected, Jamaicans reported greater embarrassment regarding feces or the rectum compared to European Americans and African Americans; however, in contrast to expectations, women reported less embarrassment than men. Interactions indicated that rectal and fecal embarrassment was particularly high among Jamaican men.


CONCLUSIONS
Men and women have a preference for same-gender physicians, and embarrassment regarding feces and the rectum shows the most consistent ethnic and gender variation.


CONCLUSIONS
Discussing embarrassment and its causes, as well as providing an opportunity to choose a same-gender physician, may be promising strategies to reduce or manage embarrassment and increase CRC screening attendance.
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand. atn.consedine@auckland.ac.nz
Nathan S
NS
Consedine
Maike K
MK
Reddig
Inga
I
Ladwig
Elizabeth A
EA
Broadbent
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*