CHDR Funded Pilot Studies

Perceived Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening Among Homeless African American Men

Anne Belcher, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN (JHUSON)
Patricia Shelton, PhD, RN (NCATSON)

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. In 2004, approximately 230, men were diagnosed, accounting for 33% of all new cancer cases among men. African American men are at greater risk for developing prostate cancer and their prognosis is often poor due to delayed diagnosis. In fact, African American men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as Caucasian men.

The purpose of the proposed study is to address the question "What do homeless African American men know about screening for prostate cancer?" The results of the study will be used to add to the body of knowledge about African American men's knowledge of and participation in prostate cancer screening and will be used to design an intervention study which targets African American men of low SES receiving care in community clinics.

A focus group will be used to determine the knowledge of prostate cancer risk, screening guidelines, and the value of early detection among a convenience sample of 6 to 10 homeless men.