title: Fatalistic Beliefs About Cancer Prevention Among Older African American Men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence suggests that minority groups are more likely to exhibit fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention (FBCP), which are defined as confusion, pessimism, and helplessness about one's ability to prevent cancer. This study examines the socioeconomic and psychosocial predictors of FBCP among older African American men (AAM).
  
  
  METHODS
  AAM (N = 1,666) enrolled in Medicare and participating in a longitudinal study on patient navigation were surveyed. Measures included three FBCP constructs, namely demographic items and physical and mental health variables. Binary logistic regression was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average participant was 73.6 years old; 76.5% felt helpless, 44.2% were confused, and 40.7% were pessimistic about the ability to prevent cancer. As education increased, so did all three FBCP. Being downhearted was predictive of confused and helpless beliefs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is critical for health practitioners to understand how psychosocial and economic challenges influence beliefs that may impede cancer prevention efforts for older AAM.
authors: School of Social Work and Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA jamie.mitchell@wayne.edu.
authors: Jamie A
authors: JA
authors: Mitchell
authors: Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Manning
authors: School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors: Deirdre
authors: D
authors: Shires
authors: Division Head, Hematology/Oncology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Chapman
authors: Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors: Janice
authors: J
authors: Burnett
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D054526:Men's Health; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: cancer; health; men; mental health; prevention
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