Exploring beliefs about prostate cancer and early detection in men and women of three ethnic groups

OBJECTIVES: Practice guidelines support informed or shared decision-making about prostate cancer screening. To compare beliefs across three racial/ethnic categories concerning prostate cancer etiology and risk, screening routines, and shared decision-making, we conducted 12 focus groups. METHODS: Participants were recruited in primary care settings and included 33 African Americans, 35 Hispanics, and 22 non-Hispanic Whites. Of the 90 participants, 53% were male. RESULTS: Groups identified heredity, age, race, sexual activity, and other lifestyle influences as risk factors. Few were aware that prostate cancer is asymptomatic in early stages. Confidence in knowledge of screening routines was high, but included misconceptions supporting initiation of screening at earlier ages and at shorter intervals than professional recommendations. Females encouraged screening of male relatives to protect their health. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: While racial/ethnic groups had similar views and knowledge about screening, African Americans wanted to organize to address the threat of prostate cancer in their communities. Hispanics had awakening awareness of the health risks of prostate cancer. Non-Hispanic Whites were aware of the health threat of prostate cancer, but their approach to health protection was more individual and less community focused than that of African Americans. Participants were not aware of controversy about screening. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Developers of educational materials to support informed or shared decision-making should be aware that initial views of prostate cancer screening are positive.