title: Beliefs in Chemotherapy and Knowledge of Cancer and Treatment Among African American Women With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine beliefs regarding the necessity of chemotherapy and knowledge of breast cancer and its treatment in African American women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, and to explore factors associated with women's beliefs and knowledge. .
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, cross-sectional study. .
  
  
  METHODS
  Six urban cancer centers in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. .
  
  
  METHODS
  101 African American women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.  .
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis using baseline data collected from participants in a randomized, controlled trial at their first medical oncology visit before the first cycle of chemotherapy. .
  
  
  METHODS
  Belief in chemotherapy, knowledge of cancer and recommended treatment, self-efficacy, healthcare system distrust, interpersonal processes of care, symptom distress, and quality of life. .
  
  
  RESULTS
  African American women endorsed the necessity of chemotherapy. Most women did not know their tumor size, hormone receptors, specific therapy, or why chemotherapy was recommended to them. Women who perceived better interpersonal communication with physicians, less self-efficacy, or were less involved in their own treatment decision making held stronger beliefs about the necessity of chemotherapy. Women without financial difficulty or having stronger social functioning had more knowledge of their cancer and recommended chemotherapy.  .
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  African American women with newly diagnosed breast cancer generally agreed with the necessity of chemotherapy. Knowledge of breast cancer, treatment, and risk reduction through adjuvant therapy was limited. .
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses could help advocate for tailored educational programs to support informed decision making regarding chemotherapy acceptance for African American women.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Associate professors School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sereika
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brufsky
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Margaret Q
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Rosenzweig
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D010414:Pennsylvania
keywords: African American women; attitudes; breast cancer; chemotherapy; knowledge