Cancer Screening Among Patients Who Self-Identify as Muslim: Combining Self-Reported Data with Medical Records in a Family Practice Setting

The Association Between Religiosity, Spirituality and Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Longitudinal Analysis of Alberta's Tomorrow Project in Canada

We explored longitudinal associations between religion/spirituality (R/S) Salience and R/S Attendance, and colorectal cancer screening, among adults aged ≥ 50 years in Alberta, Canada. R/S Salience was not statistically significantly associated with colorectal cancer screening (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-1.28). Conversely, R/S Attendance was statistically significantly associated with higher odds of colorectal cancer screening: the aOR was 1.28 (95% CI 1.02-1.59) for participants attending services at least once a month and 1.31 (95% CI 1.01-1.69) for participants attending between one and four times yearly, compared to participants who never attended. Researchers should explore the possibility of delivering colorectal cancer screening programs in R/S settings.

Access to cancer clinical trials for racialised older adults: an equity-focused rapid scoping review protocol

BACKGROUND

The intersection of race and older age compounds existing health disparities experienced by historically marginalised communities. Therefore, racialised older adults with cancer are more disadvantaged in their access to cancer clinical trials compared with age-matched counterparts. To determine what has already been published in this area, the rapid scoping review question are: what are the barriers, facilitators and potential solutions for enhancing access to cancer clinical trials among racialised older adults?

METHODS

We will use a rapid scoping review methodology in which we follow the six-step framework of Arksey and O'Malley, including a systematic search of the literature with abstract and full-text screening to be conducted by two independent reviewers, data abstraction by one reviewer and verification by a second reviewer using an Excel data abstraction sheet. Articles focusing on persons aged 18 and over who identify as a racialised person with cancer, that describe therapies/therapeutic interventions/prevention/outcomes related to barriers, facilitators and solutions to enhancing access to and equity in cancer clinical trials will be eligible for inclusion in this rapid scoping review.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

All data will be extracted from published literature. Hence, ethical approval and patient informed consent are not required. The findings of the scoping review will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at international conferences.

Cancer Screening Differences Among Muslims and Non-Muslims: Insights from the Chicago Multiethnic Prevention and Surveillance Study

BACKGROUND

While cancer screening disparities along socioeconomic and racial/ethnic lines are well studied, differences based on religious affiliation are under-researched. Though diverse in terms of race/ethnicity, Muslim Americans appear to share values and beliefs that similarly inform their health and healthcare seeking behaviors. Cancer screening disparities among Muslim Americans are also understudied.

METHODS

To examine differences in cancer screening behaviors based on Muslim affiliation, we analyzed data from a longitudinal cohort study examining lifestyle, healthcare access, environmental, and genetic factors on the health of Chicagoans.

RESULTS

Of 7552 participants, 132 (1.7%) were Muslim. Between Muslim and non-Muslims, there were no significant differences in prostate, cervical, and breast cancer screening rates, but Muslims were less likely to undergo colorectal cancer screening. When differences in obesity and insurance status were accounted for in a multivariate regression model, religious affiliation was no longer significantly associated with screening rates.

DISCUSSION

Religious values can influence cancer screening behaviors; hence, tracking cancer screening along religious lines may illuminate previously unknown disparities. Our analysis of a predominately African American cohort of Chicagoans, however, did not reveal religious affiliation to predict cancer screening disparities.

The association between religiosity, spirituality, and breast cancer screening: A cross-sectional analysis of Alberta’s Tomorrow Project

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Religion and spirituality provide a foundation for regulating health behaviors such as cancer screening.

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However, religion and spirituality were not associated with mammography in a population-level sample of women from Alberta, Canada.

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Religion and spirituality may be associated with mammography in population subgroups.

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Future research should employ longitudinal analyses.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women. Screening permits the early detection and treatment of malignancies, thereby reducing mortality. A woman’s religiosity and spirituality (R/S) may facilitate screening through encouragement of healthy behaviors. Population-level data from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project (ATP) were used to explore the cross-sectional association between R/S and breast cancer screening among women aged 50 to 69 years who did not have a history of breast cancer. Two variables were used to measure R/S: (1) R/S Salience was defined as the importance of religion and spirituality in one’s life; (2) R/S Attendance was defined as the frequency of attendance at religious or spiritual services. We regressed breast cancer screening (mammogram: yes/no) on each R/S variable in separate multivariable logistic regression models. At baseline (n = 2569), 94% of women reported receiving a mammogram. Greater R/S Salience was not associated with receipt of mammogram: the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–1.51. R/S Attendance also showed no association with mammogram: attending at least once monthly versus never attending (aOR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.71–1.69); attending one to four times yearly versus never attending (aOR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.57–1.58). Further research could examine specific subgroups of the population, e.g., whether use of R/S to promote breast cancer screening may be more effective among females with strong pre-existing connections to faith.

The Influence of Religiosity and Spirituality on Health in Canada: A Systematic Literature Review

The association between religion and health has been the subject of growing interest in academia. However, limited reviews of such studies in Canada exist. The paper systematically reviews and synthesizes existing literature on the relationship between spirituality and health in Canada. Available general databases such as: Medline; Web of Science, PubMed, Sociological abstract, Social Service Abstracts, Google scholar, Humanities International Index, JSTOR, CPI.Q Canadian Periodicals, and American Theological Library Association were searched for the period between 2000 and April 2019 inclusive. Collected data were then systematically analysed for common themes about spirituality and health in Canada. In total, 151 articles were found, but only 128 had relevance with the study objectives. Overall, the analysis showed that religion and spirituality do influence health behaviours, and well-being. However, more gender-based studies need to be conducted to tease out the differences in religion/spirituality and health across different genders, and ethnic groups in Canada.

Promoting Colorectal Cancer Screening in South Asian Muslims Living in the USA

Colorectal cancer is one of the more common forms of cancer in South Asian men and women. Despite the rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) in South Asians, the CRC screening rates remain low in South Asians and Muslims compared with those in Whites and other ethnic minorities in the USA. Religious and cultural barriers have been examined in relation to other types of cancer such as breast and cervical cancers. However, few data are available about CRC screening among Muslims, particularly South Asian American Muslims. A community-based participatory research approach was used to assess attitudes toward CRC screening and various cultural, religious, and gender barriers that prevent CRC screening expressed by Muslim South Asian men and women in the larger San Francisco Bay Area. Six focus groups were conducted (three males and three females) with South Asian American Muslims. The focus groups consisted of a total sample size of n = 32, with 15 men and 17 women, with the average age of participants being 57 years old. This study highlighted key religious, cultural, and gender barriers to CRC screening including lack of awareness of CRC, the notion of fatalism as it relates to screening, lack of emphasis on preventive health, the need to preserve modesty, and stigma around certain CRC screening practices. Religiously tailored interventions and culturally sensitive healthcare providers are needed to better promote CRC screening in South Asian Muslim communities and to help inform the design of health interventions and outreach strategies.

An Islamic Perspective: Suffering and Meaning in Cancer

Culturally competent care is contingent on knowledge of the unique values and attributes of diverse communities. This article focuses on Islamic perspectives of suffering and meaning in illness as they relate to cancer care. Personal narrative and evidence-based information are integrated to inform a holistic nursing approach to the care of Muslim patients, particularly when supporting them and their families through suffering in the context of malignancy or significant illness.