title: Religion, fatalism, and cancer control: a qualitative study among Hispanic Catholics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess cancer perceptions among churchgoers and to examine the potential influence of fatalism and religious beliefs on the use of cancer screening tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight semi-structured focus groups were conducted among 67 Hispanic Catholics in Massachusetts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this sample, there were few references to fatalistic beliefs about cancer and nearly universal endorsement of the utility of cancer screening for cancer early detection. Most participants reported that their religious beliefs encouraged them to use health services, including cancer-screening tests. Although participants agreed that God plays an active role in health, they also affirmed the importance of self-agency in determining cancer outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings challenge the assumption that fatalism is an overriding perspective among Hispanics. Catholic religious beliefs may contribute to positive health attitudes and behaviors.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. leyvabryan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leyva
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Laura S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Tom
authors.affiliation: Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Hosffman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ospino
authors.affiliation: Associate University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Maria Idali
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ana F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Abraido-Lanza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002410:Catholicism / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research