Determining Barriers to Dietary Change Among Medically Underserved Men With Prostate Cancer.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Prostate cancer (PCa) disproportionately impacts Black men and those of lower socioeconomic status, leading to higher incidence, progression, and mortality.
• Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in men with localized PCa, highlighting the need for lifestyle interventions like diet.
• Limited understanding exists regarding barriers to dietary changes, such as adopting the Mediterranean diet (MD), among underserved PCa patients and their families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore dietary knowledge, cultural factors, and intervention willingness among Black and Hispanic men with localized PCa.
• To identify perceived barriers and facilitators to dietary modification within a medically underserved population.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing six focus groups (English/Spanish) with 31 participants (men and partners).
• Recruitment from a safety-net county hospital serving a medically underserved population.
• Thematic analysis guided by the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behavior.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: attitudes toward diet/physician advice, socio-cultural influences (family, friends, culture), emotional/spiritual impacts, and structural barriers affecting self-efficacy.
• Family buy-in, clear education, and accommodating emotional/spiritual needs are vital for dietary behavior change.
• Positive physician advice and cultural norms influenced dietary attitudes.

Conclusions:

• Culturally sensitive, partner-engaged dietary interventions are essential for medically underserved PCa patients.
• Addressing emotional, spiritual, and structural factors alongside education can enhance intervention effectiveness.
• Future interventions should integrate family support and cultural relevance to improve adherence and outcomes.