Race and prostate cancer: Attitudes toward diagnosis and treatment among newly diagnosed patients. P. A. Godley, J. A. Clark, D. D. Gellatly, S. T. Jackson, J. A. Talcott; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Boston University, Boston, MA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA Abstract: Background: Patient factors potentially affecting prostate cancer (PC) screening and treatment behavior may differ by race. Methods: Using Rapid Case Identification in the North Carolina Tumor Registry, we identified 84 newly diagnosed African American (AA) and 253 Caucasian (C) PC patients. Interviews assessed their socioeconomic position, health attitudes, access to care, pretreatment symptoms and treatment choices. Most men had begun their treatment. Results: AA men were younger, had less education, and lower income compared to C men (all P<0.001), but racial groups did not differ in insurance coverage or their proximity to their site of care. However, AA men more often reported foregoing a doctor's care even when they perceived a need, less often saw the same MD regularly, and reported less trust in their MD about cancer. AA men reported more relatives with prostate cancer, greater risk of and fear of prostate cancer than other men, and greater belief that fear causes most men to put off checking their prostate. AA and C men did not differ on the first evidence for their cancer, although it arose more often at special screening sessions for AA men. Their treatment choices did not differ from C men, despite a greater preference to avoid surgery. AA men reported a lower self-assessment of global health, but their self-reported ability to perform social roles without physical or mental health limitations, and their urinary, bowel and sexual function were the same as those of C men. Conclusions: Although less well educated, AA men in North Carolina are aware of their greater risk of PC and the need for treatment when diagnosed, and they tend to assume greater responsibility for getting cancer and delaying diagnosis. However, absence of strong ties to a primary physician, mistrust of physicians in general, constrained opportunities to utilize needed care, and fear of prostate cancer may present barriers to timely diagnosis. Abstract No: 6056 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.