An Intergenerational Approach to Prostate Cancer Education: Findings from a Pilot Project in the Southeastern United States

• Published in: Journal of cancer education 2014-12, Vol.29 (4), p.649-656
• Main Authors: Jackson, Dawnyea D., Owens, Otis L., Friedman, Daniela B., Hebert, James R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0885-8195; 1543-0154
• DOI: 10.1007/s13187-014-0618-x

African Americans (AA) are more likely to develop and die from cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. This study assessed older and younger/middle-age African-American (AA) men's (1) knowledge and attitudes about prostate cancer (PrCA) and PrCA screening, (2) participation in clinical research, and (3) health and cancer-related decision making. Twenty-eight AA men (14 older, mean age 59.8; 14 younger/middle age, mean age 30.4) received a PrCA education program and completed pre/post education program surveys, as wells as qualitative post education interviews. Younger/middle-age men were more knowledgeable about PrCA and PrCA screening than older males. Older men reported being invited to participate in a clinical trial more often than younger males but were more likely to report that participation in clinical trials was risky and they did not plan to participate in medical research in the future. Younger/middle-age males were more willing to participate in a clinical trial in the future and reported fewer barriers to participation in clinical research. There is potential for using intergenerational communication strategies with older/younger AA male dyads in PrCA interventions.