ATTITUDES OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS REGARDING SCREENING FOR PROSTATE-CANCER

The purpose of this study was to identify attitudes associated with th e willingness of African Americans to participate in prostate cancer s creening, Subjects greater than or equal to 40 years were recruited fr om South Central Los Angeles. Fifty-six respondents were divided into low or middle socioeconomic groups based on education and occupation, Focus group discussions were conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about prostate cancer screening and treatment, willingnes s to participate in screening, incentives and barriers toward particip ating in screening, and source of medical care, The middle socioeconom ic respondents expressed a greater willingness to participate in prost ate screening. This difference was attributed to their greater knowled ge about the disease and screening procedures, enhanced access to heal th promotion activities, being less fearful of discovering abnormal re sults, exposure to more aggressive behavior on the part of the provide r with respect to screening, and receiving medical care in an environm ent that is more respectful toward the consumer, Efforts to increase m inority participation in prostate cancer screening or prevention studi es must take these findings into consideration.