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Saad F, Ayyash M, Ayyash M, Elhage N, Ali I, Makki M, Hamade H, Blackwood RA. Assessing Knowledge, Physician Interactions and Patient-Reported Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Arab Americans in Dearborn, Michigan. J Community Health 2021; 45:900-909. [PMID: 32189212 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-020-00807-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths among men and women in the United States (Haggar and Boushey in Clin Colon Rectal Surg 22:191-197, 2009). Screening tests have shown to be successful at early detection of precancerous polyps. Between 2000 and 2010, there was a 72% growth in the population that identifies having an Arabic-speaking ancestry (Arab American Institute in https://www.aaiusa.org/demographics , 2011). Despite this, little research has been conducted to assess this unique community's knowledge regarding CRC. Given that low screening rates can be attributed to lack of knowledge, this study was designed to address CRC knowledge and screening barriers in an Arab American community. Between February 2016 and June 2017, an anonymous survey was conducted in English or Arabic among 131 patients from cancer programs at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) in Dearborn, MI. Program participants were expected to have greater insight and awareness about cancer risk than the general population. Knowledge deficiencies surrounding CRC and the screening process were identified. 70% of participants did not know what a colon polyp is and over 89% were not aware of their individual risk for CRC. 45.8% have never had a CRC screening and leading barriers included screening costs, lack of health insurance, and lack of advice by physicians. The goal of this study was to serve as a tool to healthcare providers by identifying evident gaps in medical knowledge surrounding CRC. In order to help better serve and educate patients, healthcare providers and community organizations are encouraged to fight the stigma and help to reduce misunderstandings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Saad
- University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI, USA. .,Arab American Health Initiative, Dearborn, MI, USA. .,Office for Health Equity and Inclusion-Michigan Medicine, The University of Michigan, 1301 Catherine St, Medical Science Building 1, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Mariam Ayyash
- Arab American Health Initiative, Dearborn, MI, USA.,University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Henry Ford Health System, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marwa Ayyash
- Arab American Health Initiative, Dearborn, MI, USA.,University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nadine Elhage
- Arab American Health Initiative, Dearborn, MI, USA.,Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Iman Ali
- Arab American Health Initiative, Dearborn, MI, USA.,University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mona Makki
- Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, ACCESS, Dearborn, MI, USA
| | - Hiam Hamade
- Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, ACCESS, Dearborn, MI, USA
| | - R Alexander Blackwood
- Arab American Health Initiative, Dearborn, MI, USA.,University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, Office of Health Equity and Inclusion, Arab American Health Initiative, Dearborn, MI, USA.,Office for Health Equity and Inclusion-Michigan Medicine, The University of Michigan, 1301 Catherine St, Medical Science Building 1, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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