The fatalistic cancer beliefs and information seeking behaviors of formerly incarcerated African American and Hispanic men

Authors: Lian Z, Valera, P

Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication, Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2018

Abstract Body:
Purpose of the Study: This study examined the association between fatalism, perceived susceptibility to cancer and online health information seeking among formerly incarcerated African American and Hispanic men Method: A survey assessing demographics, incarceration experience, psychosocial, behavioral, and cancer health information seeking was administered to 230 previously incarcerated men aged 35 years and older. Data was analyzed via descriptive statistics, cross tabulation analysis and binary logistic regression. Results: Over half of the study participants (68.7%) held the fatalistic belief: “When I think of cancer, I automatically think of death.” Second, men who perceive a higher risk of developing cancer were more likely to believe that “it seems like everything causes cancer” and “when I think of cancer, I automatically think of death”. Participants who worry about developing cancer more frequently are more likely to think of death automatically when they think of cancer. Interestingly, older formerly incarcerated Black and Hispanic men those between 55 and 70 years old and widowed were less likely to think of death when asked about their susceptibility to cancer. Furthermore, participants who use the Internet to look for health or medical information (i.e., engaging in health information seeking) were less likely to agree with the fatalistic belief: “It seems like everything causes cancer.” Conclusion: Formerly incarcerated African-American and Hispanic men demonstrate lack of confidence in cancer prevention and control. Moving forward, involving the criminal justice system in cancer health efforts may help to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer outcomes among this vulnerable population. Instructing individuals under community supervision about ways in which to access health information, such as using the Internet and social media sites, may be one communication strategy to begin to improve cancer health outcomes

Keywords: men, health communication, cancer fatalism, criminal justice system