Cancer Awareness in Alternative Settings: Lessons Learned and Evaluation of the Barbershop Men’s Health Project

Authors

Cheryl L. Holt, University of Maryland, School of Public HealthFollow
Theresa A. Wynn, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Katrina Debnam, University of Maryland, School of Public Health
Mark S. Litaker, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sanford Jeames, University of Massachusetts, Donahue Institute
Yu-Mei Schoenberger, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Penny Southward, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Virgil Simons, Prostate.Net

Keywords

African American men; Cancer – Prevention; Colon (Anatomy) — Cancer; Colorectal cancer; Community Health Advisors; Community health services; Community-based research; Early detection; Prostate — Cancer; Prostate cancer; Rectum — Cancer

Disciplines

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

Abstract

Prostate and colorectal cancer are two of the leading causes of cancer deaths among African American men. This study describes lessons learned from the development, implementation and evaluation of a culturally appropriate, barbershop-based intervention to improve prostate and colorectal cancer screening awareness among African American men. Working with an Advisory Panel of shop owners, barbers, and cancer survivors, local barbers were recruited and trained as Community Health Advisors to educate, motivate, and assist their clients in becoming more knowledgeable about prostate and colorectal cancer. Survey results reveal increases in prostate and colorectal cancer knowledge and self-reported screening among participants. Lessons learned include the need for adequate project staffing and the appropriate role of the barber as a Community Health Advisor. Findings from this study suggest that barbershops are a promising setting for reaching African American men and could be used to target additional conditions that disproportionately impact this community.

Recommended Citation

Holt, Cheryl L.; Wynn, Theresa A.; Debnam, Katrina; Litaker, Mark S.; Jeames, Sanford; Schoenberger, Yu-Mei; Southward, Penny; and Simons, Virgil (2010) "Cancer Awareness in Alternative Settings: Lessons Learned and Evaluation of the Barbershop Men’s Health Project," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 4: Iss. 2, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol4/iss2/8