Colorectal Cancer Brochure Development for African Americans

Authors

Kim L. Freeman, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Lina Jandorf, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Hayley Thompson, Mount Sinai School of MedicineFollow
Katherine N. DuHamel, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Keywords

African Americans; Colon (Anatomy) – Cancer – Prevention; Colorectal cancer screening; Health education; Focus groups; Rectum – Cancer – Prevention

Disciplines

Community-Based Research | Medicine and Health | Oncology | Public Health | Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

Introduction: African Americans are more likely to die from colorectal cancer (CRC) than any other racial/ethnic group in the United States. Unfortunately, African Americans are also less likely to undergo screening for CRC than their White counterparts. Focus groups methodology was used to refine educational brochures designed to increase CRC screening among African Americans.

Methods: Two series of focus groups were completed, with a total of seven groups and 39 participants. Six different brochures (stage-matched and culturally sensitive) designed to promote CRC screening among African Americans were evaluated.

Results: All participants thought that the brochures motivated them to talk with their health care providers about screening. Cost, pain, medical mistrust and fear were identified as major barriers and the brochures were modified to address these concerns.

Conclusions: Focus groups methodology with African Americans can be used to inform brochures designed to increase African Americans CRC screening that addresses their major concerns.

Recommended Citation

Freeman, Kim L.; Jandorf, Lina; Thompson, Hayley; and DuHamel, Katherine N. (2009) "Colorectal Cancer Brochure Development for African Americans," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 3: Iss. 3, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol3/iss3/3