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Effects of baseline comorbidities on cancer screening trial adherence among older African American men

Marvella E Ford1, Suzanne L Havstad, Maya E Fields

  • 1Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Epidemiology, Medical University of South Carolina, PO Box 250955, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. fordmar@musc.edu

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology
|May 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Older African American men with health conditions generally adhere well to cancer screenings. However, current smoking significantly reduces adherence to all cancer screening types, including prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer screenings.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Public Health
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer screening adherence is crucial for early detection in older populations.
  • Comorbidities may impact participation in health interventions.
  • Older African American men represent a population with unique health considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how baseline comorbidities affect cancer screening adherence in older African American men.
  • To assess the influence of comorbidities within a case management intervention for cancer screening.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 683 African American men (age >= 55) was randomized into case management intervention or control groups.
  • Baseline comorbidity data were collected and analyzed for their impact on screening adherence rates.
  • Statistical analyses examined the relationship between health conditions and adherence to various cancer screenings.

Main Results:

  • Participants with comorbidities generally showed similar adherence to trial screenings compared to those without.
  • Current smokers exhibited significantly lower adherence to prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer screenings.
  • Individuals with chronic bronchitis had reduced adherence to chest X-rays for lung cancer screening.

Conclusions:

  • Older African American men with comorbidities are suitable candidates for longitudinal cancer screening trials.
  • Smoking cessation is critical, as smoking negatively impacts adherence across all cancer screening modalities.
  • Targeted interventions may be needed for specific subgroups, like current smokers, to improve screening participation.
Abstract

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