Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs among African Americans.

Four hundred two residents of a disadvantaged African American community in New Orleans were surveyed to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding cancer and cancer screening. The residents were interviewed in their homes by trained community members. Two hundred ninety members of the Ochsner Health Plan (OHP) were also surveyed and the results from both groups were compared. Both groups were health conscious and expressed a willingness to participate in cancer screening. Mean cancer knowledge scores were lower in the target population (4.95) when compared with the OHP group (5.84). Thirty-two percent of the target population could identify the 7 cancer warning signs versus 47% of the OHP group. Similar percentages of women in both groups could identify risk factors for breast cancer, but a number of etiologic myths were prevalent in the African American community. Participants in the African American community had a more fatalistic view of cancer and were less trusting of the medical community. Cancer screening rates were similar for cervical and colorectal cancer, but a significantly higher percentage of women in the OHP group received regular mammograms, 83% versus 43% in the target population. Thirty-two percent of the target population and 75% of the OHP group stated they had received a digital rectal examination. Only 34% of the African American males had received a Prostate Specific Antigen test versus 46% in the OHP group. The results of the survey identify a number of barriers to cancer screening among the African American community and support the need for a culturally sensitive, community-based cancer education program.