Adherence by African American men to prostate cancer education and early detection

BACKGROUND. This study was designed to identify factors that predict adhere nce by African American men to prostate cancer education and early detectio n. METHODS. In the spring of 1995, the authors identified 548 African American men who were patients at the University Health Services of the University of Chicago, were ages 40-70 years, and did not have a personal history of p rostate cancer. Baseline telephone survey data were collected from 413 men (75%). Participants were randomly assigned to either a minimal or an enhanc ed intervention group. Men in the former group were mailed a letter and a r eminder that invited them to a urology clinic for prostate cancer education and early detection. Men in the enhanced intervention group were sent the same correspondence and were also given print material and telephone contac ts, which were tailored to each recipient. RESULTS. Adherence was significantly higher (OR = 2.6, CI: 1.7-3.9) in the enhanced intervention group than in the minimal intervention group (51% and 29%, respectively). Men who were age 50 years or older (OR = 1.7, CI: 1.1- 2.8), were married (OR = 1.8, CI: 1.2-2.9), believed that prostate cancer e arly detection examination should be performed in the absence of symptoms ( OR = 2.3, CI: 1.3-4.0), and self-reported an intention to have an early det ection examination (OR = 1.9, CI: 1.2-2.9) were also more likely to adhere. CONCLUSIONS, A tailored behavioral intervention can influence adherence to prostate cancer early detection among African American men. Individual back ground and cognitive and psychosocial characteristics may also affect behav ior. Future studies should assess the impact of this type of intervention o n cognitive and psychologic correlates of decision-making and behavior alon g the continuum of prostate cancer care. [See editorial on pages 1-2, this issue.] Cancer 1999;86:88-104. (C) 1999 American Cancer Society.