Strategies for Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African Americans

Abstract

African Americans bear a disproportionate burden of mortality from colorectal cancer. Because the majority of excess deaths are linked to delayed detection (after the cancer has spread), interventions to promote acceptance of and compliance with screening are urgently needed. Tins article considers strategies to overcome barriers to screening for colorectal cancer among African Americans. The authors draw attention to the barriers that may be more influential among African Americans than in other groups: for example, fear of cancer, fatalism, reliance on self-care, limhed opportunities to creen, and inadequate provider-patient communication. Previous efforts to promote screening for breast cancer and other health behaviors suggest that community-based approaches designed to effect mutually reinforcing changes at the individual, community and health care system levels my be bist suited to raise awareness of colorectal cancer/promote acceptance of screening, and facilitate compliance in African American communities.

Key Words:

• Colorectal cancer screening
• African Americans
• community interventions