Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Lee Caplan

Abstract

Prostatic carcinoma, or prostate cancer, is the leading cause of death among adult males in the United States. The highest rate of prostate cancer is found in males of African American ethnicity, as males within this cohort are 50% more likely to develop prostate cancer than other ethnicities. African Americans men are 1.6 times more likely to develop prostate cancer and 2.4 times more likely to die from it than Caucasians. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of urban African American men about factors that prevent them from seeking and receiving prostate cancer screening, and to evaluate the effects of health literacy and the loss of a close friend or relative to prostate cancer on early prostate cancer screening in them. The theoretical base of this study is the health belief model. The sample was made up of African American men, over the age of 40, who live within Denton, Texas. Data were collected using telephone interviews. The six-step thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke showed that African American men generally trust medical professionals regarding prostate cancer and screening, and the primary reason to seek testing was concern for one’s own health. Diagnosis of someone they knew increased their awareness to get screened for prostate cancer and African American men are worried about the cost of testing. This study provides important information for practitioners on how to influence greater testing among African American men. Without the ability to pay for cancer screening services, increasing health literacy, and communicating the importance of testing is unlikely to seriously address the healthcare inequalities that contribute to poorer prostate cancer outcomes for African American men.

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