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Abstract

Although Salvadoreans are the fourth largest group of Hispanics in the United States, little is known about their cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices. There are no publications assessing cancer knowledge among Salvadorean men. In this cross-sectional survey, information was gathered from 706 immigrant Salvadorean men in Washington, D.C. The majority of these men knew that smoking causes cancer and that some cancers can be cured if detected early. However, the men in this survey had inadequate knowledge about symptoms of cancer and early detection methods. The most important predictor of cancer screening among older participants was enrollment in health insurance plans. Our study suggests that Salvadorean men would participate in cancer screening efforts if they had access to medical care. Educational programs to increase awareness of cancer and availability of preventive services may help prevent cancer in this population.

Awareness of cancer symptoms and anticipated help seeking among ethnic minority groups in England

“…The review found wide differences in beliefs both between countries, but also across ethnic and cultural groups within countries. Psychological factors such as fatalism, fear and embarrassment were identified as possible barriers to help seeking (Long, 1993; Frisby, 2002; Lannin et al , 2002), while lack of knowledge about cancer symptoms or early detection methods and misconceptions about causal processes also play a part (Gregg and Curry, 1994; Ratnasinghe et al , 1999). A recent qualitative study indicated that black and ethnic minority groups had poor knowledge about cancer, as well as beliefs and attitudes that might reduce attendance at services designed to promote early diagnosis (Thomas et al , 2005).…”