Exploring Racial Differences Surrounding Prostate Cancer Screening: Beliefs and Attitudes in Community Dwelling Men Attending an Urban Men's Health Event

Prostate Cancer Foundation Screening Guidelines for Black Men in the United States

BACKGROUND

In the United States, Black men are at highest risk for being diagnosed with and dying from prostate cancer. Given this disparity, we examined relevant data to establish clinical prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening guidelines for Black men in the United States.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search identified 1848 unique publications for screening. Of those screened, 287 studies were selected for full-text review, and 264 were considered relevant and form the basis for these guidelines. The numbers were reported according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

RESULTS

Three randomized controlled trials provided Level 1 evidence that regular PSA screening of men 50 to 74 years of age of average risk reduced metastasis and prostate cancer death at 16 to 22 years of follow-up. The best available evidence specifically for Black men comes from observational and modeling studies that consider age to obtain a baseline PSA, frequency of testing, and age when screening should end. Cohort studies suggest that discussions about baseline PSA testing between Black men and their clinicians should begin in the early 40s, and data from modeling studies indicate prostate cancer develops 3 to 9 years earlier in Black men compared with non-Black men. Lowering the age for baseline PSA testing to 40 to 45 years of age from 50 to 55 years of age, followed by regular screening until 70 years of age (informed by PSA values and health factors), could reduce prostate cancer mortality in Black men (approximately 30% relative risk reduction) without substantially increasing overdiagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines recommend that Black men should obtain information about PSA screening for prostate cancer. Among Black men who elect screening, baseline PSA testing should occur between ages 40 and 45. Depending on PSA value and health status, annual screening should be strongly considered. (Supported by the Prostate Cancer Foundation.).

Concept Mapping with Black Men: Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening and Solutions

A structured participatory approach of group concept mapping (GCM) was used to understand barriers and concerns around prostate cancer screening (PCS) among African American (AA) men. One-hundred thirteen AA men aged 35-70 years enrolled from one urban and three rural counties in Alabama. Eighty-five men brainstormed and generated 41 unique ideas in response to a single prompt. Participants (n = 70) sorted ideas into groups and rated them in terms of importance and feasibility to change opinions. Multi-dimensional scaling and cluster analysis were used to analyze the data. Participants (n=50) discussed visual concept maps during three focus-groups and recommended solutions to address key barriers. The mean age of respondents was 52 (±10), 50% were rural, 37% were college-educated, 56% with income <$44,500, and 22% with PROCASE Knowledge Index ≤5. Cluster analyses revealed eight clusters. Participants ranked barriers grouped under "fear of consequences of test," "lack of knowledge," and "costs/no insurance" as most important to improve PCS among AA men. The same three clusters along with "dislike for digital rectal exam (DRE)" were ranked as most difficult to change. No major differences were noted by urban/rural status. Solutions to address barriers included education at a younger age, alternate testing options and open discussion about DRE, and clear and precise messaging by peers and relatable role models. Our study identified specific barriers to PCS among AA with diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. Culturally sensitive interventions delivered by trained healthcare professionals, peers, and relatable role models, can potentially increase PCS among AA men.

Associations of Content and Context of Communication with Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing

There is limited research about the content and context of communication on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing among men in the state of Florida. The purpose of this study is to understand how the content communication (discussion of advantages and disadvantages of PSA testing between provider and patient; provider recommendations of PSA testing) and the context of communication (continuity of care denoted by the presence of a personal doctor) influence PSA testing. Data were drawn from the Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Receipt of PSA testing was the primary outcome. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to adjust for sociodemographic, clinical, healthcare access, and lifestyle characteristics when associating the content and context of communication with PSA testing. Discussions were classified into four mutually exclusive categories: discussions of advantages and disadvantages, only advantages, only disadvantages, and no discussion. The most significant predictors for PSA testing included physician recommendation, discussions including advantages, older age, non-smoking, and having a personal doctor. Individualized PSA screening may be a pathway to reducing racial disparities in screening for prostate cancer (PCa) and, by extension, lower incidence and mortality rates. Developing a bill to create an Office of Men's Health at Health & Human Services is recommended.

Racial disparities in Black men with prostate cancer: A literature review

Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer (PCa), with earlier presentation, more aggressive disease, and higher mortality rates versus White men. Furthermore, Black men have less access to PCa treatment and experience longer delays between diagnosis and treatment. In this review, the authors discuss the factors contributing to racial disparities and present solutions to improve access to care and increase clinical trial participation among Black men with PCa. Racial disparities observed among Black men with PCa are multifaceted, evolving from institutional racism. Cultural factors include generalized mistrust of the health care system, poor physician-patient communication, lack of information on PCa and treatment options, fear of PCa diagnosis, and perceived societal stigma of the disease. In the United States, geographic trends in racial disparities have been observed. Economic factors, e.g., cost of care, recovery time, and cancer debt, play an important role in racial disparities observed in PCa treatment and outcomes. Racial diversity is often lacking in genomic and precision medicine studies. Black men are largely underrepresented in key phase 3 PCa trials and may be less willing to enroll in clinical trials due to lack of awareness, lack of diversity in clinical trial research teams, and bias of health care providers to recommend clinical research. The authors propose solutions to address these factors that include educating clinicians and institutions on the barriers Black men experience, increasing the diversity of health care providers and clinical research teams, and empowering Black men to be involved in their treatment, which are keys to creating equity for Black men with PCa. LAY SUMMARY: Prostate cancer negatively affects Black men more than men of other races. The history of segregation and mistreatment in the health care system may contribute to mistrust among Black men. Outcomes are worse for Black men because they are less likely to be screened or to receive treatment for prostate cancer. Black men also are unlikely to participate in clinical research, making it difficult for investigators to understand how Black men are affected by prostate cancer. Suggestions for addressing these differences include teaching physicians and nurses about the issues Black men experience getting treatment and improving how Black men get information on prostate cancer.

Influential factors in Black and White breast cancer survivors' beliefs about breast cancer

PURPOSE

Breast cancer beliefs are widely studied to improve preventative screening behaviors in women without cancer; however, limited research has examined breast cancer beliefs among breast cancer survivors. To fill this gap in research we investigated racial differences and the predicting role of influential factors (e.g., stage) in survivors' beliefs about their breast cancer.

METHODS

This study is a secondary analysis of data from the Narrowing Gap in Adjuvant Therapy Study (2006-2011), where Black (N = 210) and White women (N = 149) were interviewed within 20 weeks following their breast cancer diagnosis and primary surgery in Washington DC and Detroit, MI. Outcomes of this analysis were perceived susceptibility to a breast cancer recurrence and perceived severity of breast cancer. Bivariate analyses were conducted to assess racial differences in sample characteristics, and on the study outcomes. Adjusted multiple regression models examined correlates between independent variables (e.g., sociodemographic/clinical) and women's breast cancer beliefs about susceptibility of a recurrence and disease severity.

RESULTS

Most of the sample were Black women (58%), had breast-conserving surgery (64%), and were privately insured (67%). Black women reported higher perceived disease severity beliefs than White women (p = 0.004). Other associated factors with greater perceived severity beliefs included lower education (p = 0.008), public health insurance (p = 0.021) and greater levels of medical mistrust (p = 0.016). In our adjusted multiple regression models' women with lower satisfaction regarding financial aspects of their healthcare were more likely to have higher perceived severity beliefs (p = 0.007); women with stage II cancer compared to stage I had greater susceptibility beliefs to a cancer recurrence (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We found racial differences in women's perceived severity beliefs, and identified theory-based clinical and psychosocial correlates in survivor's breast cancer beliefs by race. Specifically, women diagnosed at stage (II) compared to stage (I) reported greater perceived susceptibility to a recurrence. Survivors diagnosed at stage (I) and (III) cancers may serve as important target groups to monitor their surveillance and follow-up behaviors. This study contributes salient predictors in survivors' beliefs about their BC and informs navigation strategies to improve cancer survivorship recommendations in the context of psycho-oncology and follow-up cancer care.

Highly portable quantitative screening test for prostate-specific antigen at point of care

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer among men. Targeted PCa screening may decrease PCa-specific mortality. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most reliable and widely accepted tumor biomarker for screening and monitoring PCa status. However, in many settings, quantification of serum PSA requires access to centralized laboratories. In this study, we describe a proof-of-concept rapid test combined with a highly portable Cube^™ reader for quantification of total PSA from a drop of serum within 20 min. We demonstrated the application of gold nanoshells as a label for lateral flow assay with significant increase in the measured colorimetric signal intensity to achieve five times lower detection limit when compared to the traditionally used 40 nm gold nanosphere labels, without a need for any additional signal amplification steps. We first optimized and evaluated the performance of the assay with commercially available total PSA calibrators. For initial validation with commercially available ACCESS Hybritech PSA calibrator, a detection range of 0.5-150 ng/mL was achieved. We compared the performance of our total PSA test with IMMULITE analyzer for quantification of total PSA in archived human serum samples. On preliminary testing with archived serums samples and comparison with IMMULITE total PSA assay, a correlation of 0.95 (p < .0001) was observed. The highly portable quantitative screening test for PSA described in this study has the potential to make PCa screening more accessible where diagnostic labs and automated immunoassay systems are not available, to reduce therapeutic turnaround time, to streamline clinical care, and to direct patient care for both initial screening and for post-treatment monitoring of patients.

Addressing Disparities by Evaluating Depression as a Predictor of Prostate Screenings among Black Men in a Community Health Clinic

To explore prostate and depression screening practices as well as predictors for prostate screening among a diverse group of men seen at a nurse-led community health center. This was a retrospective, exploratory study. Social factors, depression, and prostate screening data on 267 male patients were retrieved from medical records from 2014 to 2018. Patients that were not screened for depression were associated with a lower probability of having received a PSA screening (OR = .40, p = 02). Of those screened for depression, higher scores were associated with lower PSA screening (OR = .89, p = .02). Patients who self-identified as Hispanic (OR = .19, p <. 001), African American (AA) (OR = .06, P = .01) or White (OR = .12, P = .02) had lower odds of PSA screening compared to Black-Caribbean. The above clinical evidence is a practice implication for nurses and health care professionals. Depression screening predicted higher rates of prostate screening, while higher depression scores predicted lower prostate screening. AA and Hispanic subgroups were less likely to be screened for prostate cancer than the non-U.S. born Black-Caribbean men. Findings underscore the importance of developing community-based culturally sensitive approaches to prostate preventative care. Nurses and health providers must understand that diversity within the "Black" population exists, and these differences drive health behaviors. Person-centered care that is culturally sensitive will be essential in developing trust with communities of color to increase prostate cancer screening and health equity.

Pentz R. Prostate Cancer: Community Education and Disparities in Diagnosis and Treatment

Prostate cancer remains the leading diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death among American men. Despite improvements in screening modalities, diagnostics, and treatment, disparities exist among Black men in this country. The primary objective of this systematic review is to describe the reported disparities in screening, diagnostics, and treatments as well as efforts to alleviate these disparities through community and educational outreach efforts. Critical review took place of retrospective, prospective, and socially descriptive data of English language publications in the PubMed database. Despite more advanced presentation, lower rates of screening and diagnostic procedures, and low rates of trial inclusion, subanalyses have shown that various modalities of therapy are quite effective in Black populations. Moreover, patients treated on prospective clinical trials and within equal-access care environments have shown similar outcomes regardless of race. Additional prospective studies and enhanced participation in screening, diagnostic and genetic testing, clinical trials, and community-based educational endeavors are important to ensure equitable progress in prostate cancer for all patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Notable progress has been made with therapeutic advances for prostate cancer, but racial disparities continue to exist. Differing rates in screening and utility in diagnostic procedures play a role in these disparities. Black patients often present with more advanced disease, higher prostate-specific antigen, and other adverse factors, but outcomes can be attenuated in trials or in equal-access care environments. Recent data have shown that multiple modalities of therapy are quite effective in Black populations. Novel and bold hypotheses to increase inclusion in clinical trial, enhance decentralized trial efforts, and enact successful models of patient navigation and community partnership are vital to ensure continued progress in prostate cancer disparities.

Knowledge of prostate cancer among African American men: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies indicate that many African American men may not be making informed decisions about prostate cancer early detection. This is partly due to patients having limited knowledge about early detection of the disease.

METHODS

The present review is based upon bibliographic searches in PubMed and CINAHL and relevant search terms. Articles (n = 235) published in English from 1993 through July 31, 2020 were identified using the following MESH search terms and Boolean algebra commands: prostate cancer and knowledge and African Americans.

RESULTS

Forty-two articles were eligible for inclusion. The results of this literature review indicate that many African American men have inadequate knowledge of prostate cancer and prostate cancer early detection. Studies indicate that knowledge of prostate cancer is particularly low among older, less-educated, lower-income, and unmarried men, along with those who lack a regular physician or health insurance. Many African American men are unaware that they are at increased risk of prostate cancer because of their age or race.

CONCLUSIONS

Culturally appropriate educational efforts are needed to inform African- American men about the pros and cons of prostate cancer early detection and about risk factors for the disease so that they can make an informed decision about whether prostate cancer early detection is right for them. Of particular concern is the prostate cancer knowledge of low-income and less-educated men, along with those who lack health care insurance or a regular provider.

Correlation of sleep quality with sleep belief and attitude in 120 elderly patients with chronic functional constipation

BACKGROUND

The change of living standard has changed the life style of the elderly. Chronic functional constipation (FC) seriously affects the health of the elderly and their sleep quality. The proposal of the brain-gut axis theory has attracted much attention from medical researchers. This study investigated the correlation between sleep quality and sleep cognition in elderly FC patients, with an aim to provide an objective basis for clinical use of targeted and precise cognitive behavioral intervention measures.

AIM

To explore the correlation of sleep quality with sleep belief and attitude in elderly patients with chronic FC.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty chronic FC elderly patients treated from July 2017 to July 2019 at the Second Hospital of Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province were selected as study subjects. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scale and the dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep scale-16 (DBAS-16) were used to assess the sleep quality and sleep belief and attitude, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation of sleep quality with sleep belief and attitude.

RESULTS

Compared with normal people, the sleep latency, sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep disorder, daytime function, and total PSQI score of elderly FC patients all increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the scores of sleep quality and use of hypnotic drugs were all significantly lower (P < 0.05). The total DBAS-16 score of elderly FC patients was 48.12 ± 8.69, and the scores of the consequences of insomnia, sleep anxiety, sleep expectation, and drugs were 12.96 ± 4.98, 18.95 ± 5.12, 4.49 ± 2.36, and 10.36 ± 3.12, respectively. The consequences of insomnia were negatively correlated with sleep disorders and daytime function (r = -0.131 and -0.135, respectively). Sleep anxiety was negatively correlated with sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep time, sleep efficiency, hypnotic drugs, daytime function, and total PSQI score (r = -0.359, -0.228, -0.312, -0.224, -0.152, -0.221, and -0.376, respectively). Sleep expectation was negatively correlated with sleep efficiency and daytime function (r = -0.103 and -0.153, respectively). There was a negative correlation between drugs and sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep time, hypnotic drugs, and PSQI total score (r = -0.167, -0.142, -0.119, -0.434, and -0.211, respectively). The total DBAS-16 score was negatively correlated with the seven dimensions of sleep disorders and the total score of PSQI.

CONCLUSION

The sleep quality of elderly patients with chronic FC is correlated with their sleep belief and attitude. Medical workers should enhance the awareness of sleep belief and attitude among elderly FC patients to improve sleep cognition and quality.