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01-02-2014 | Original Paper

Correlates of Perceived Risk of Developing Cancer Among African-Americans in South Los Angeles

Authors: Anna Lucas-Wright, Mohsen Bazargan, Loretta Jones, Jaydutt V. Vadgama, Roberto Vargas, Marianna Sarkissyan, James Smith, Hamed Yazdanshenas, Annette E. Maxwell

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

There are differences in cancer-risk perception among racial/ethnic groups that may affect health risk behaviors. Using a community partnered-participatory research approach, we conducted a survey on cancer screening, risk behaviors, and related knowledge/attitudes within 11 churches in South Los Angeles with predominantly African-American parishioners. This analysis examines correlates of perceived risk of developing cancer among 755 African American adults. Almost 15 % of participants indicated higher perceived risk for cancer compared to the average man/woman of the same age, 38 % indicated same risk, whereas 48 % perceived lower risk. Sixty-nine individuals (9 %) reported a cancer history and 63 % reported at least one blood relative with cancer. Controlling for demographic characteristics and healthcare access, participants who reported higher risk of cancer had higher level of cancer-related knowledge; were current and ex-smokers; had poorer health status; had a blood relative with cancer; had a cancer history; and had discussed their risk of cancer with their doctor. The bivariate association between high perceived cancer risk and lack of exercise and obesity disappeared after adjusting for demographic characteristics and perceived health status. Our data suggest that a substantial proportion of African Americans in South Los Angeles may underestimate their cancer risk. Additionally, lack of exercise and obesity are not recognized as independent cancer risk factors as much as smoking and personal and family history of cancer. Next steps will be to inform participating churches about our findings and explore their interest in taking steps to reduce health risk behaviors among their parishioners.

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Title: Correlates of Perceived Risk of Developing Cancer Among African-Americans in South Los Angeles
Authors: Anna Lucas-Wright
Mohsen Bazargan
Loretta Jones
Jaydutt V. Vadgama
Roberto Vargas
Marianna Sarkissyan
James Smith
Hamed Yazdanshenas
Annette E. Maxwell
Publication date: 01-02-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Community Health / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9756-z

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Correlates of Perceived Risk of Developing Cancer Among African-Americans in South Los Angeles

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

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