Cancer Fatalism Among Elderly African American Women

Abstract

Cancer fatalism has been identified as a barrier to colo-rectal cancer screening among the rural elderly, yet cancer fatalism may not be an all-or-none phenomenon, which suggests higher levels of cancer fatalism may have a more significant influence on screening behaviors. Therefore, this descriptive study attempted to differentiate higher and lower levels of cancer fatalism and to identify predictors of high levels of fatalism among 204 elderly African American women who attended senior citizen centers in a southern state. Data were collected using the Powe Fatalism Inventory, the Knowledge of Colorectal Cancer Questionnaire, and the Demographic Data Questionnaire. The scores among women with high levels of fatalism were twice as high as the other women's scores. These women also were older, had less education, had less knowledge about colorectal cancer, and were more likely to have lower annual incomes. Age, education, and knowledge about the disease predicted high levels of fatalism. More research is needed to identify additional predictors of high levels of fatalism and to establish trends in screening behaviors when fatalistic perceptions are present. To negate the influence of these perceptions, educational strategies should target both providers and patients.

Key Words:

• Cancer fatalism
• African Americans
• elderly