title: Cancer beliefs in ethnic minority populations: a review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.
abstract: People from ethnic minorities often experience poorer cancer outcomes, possibly due to later presentation to healthcare and later diagnosis. We aimed to identify common cancer beliefs in minority populations in developed countries, which can affect symptom appraisal and help seeking for symptomatic cancer. Our systematic review found 15 relevant qualitative studies, located in the United Kingdom (six), United States (five), Australia (two) and Canada (two) of African, African-American, Asian, Arabic, Hispanic and Latino minority groups. We conducted a meta-synthesis that found specific emotional reactions to cancer, knowledge and beliefs and interactions with healthcare services as contributing factors in help seeking for a cancer diagnosis. These findings may be useful to inform the development of interventions to facilitate cancer diagnosis in minority populations.
authors: Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic., Australia.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Licqurish
authors: Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Phillipson
authors: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Chiang
authors: Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic., Australia.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Walker
authors: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Primary Care Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Walter
authors: Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic., Australia.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Emery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003469:Culture; D004644:Emotions; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breast cancer; cancer; ethnicity; prostate cancer; psychological; symptoms