Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. In African American men, the disease is typically detected at a more advanced stage and mortality is twice the rate of Caucasian men. However, African American men are less likely to participate in prostate cancer screening. The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess the relationship between health beliefs, knowledge, and selected demographic variables (age, income and education) and a man’s decision to participate in prostate cancer screening among African American men dwelling in rural communities. The conceptual framework for the study was the Health Belief Model. Participants for the study were recruited through contacts within rural communities within west central Alabama. A convenience sample of 90 African American men between the ages of 40-82 years of age was recruited. Analysis of the research data indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in motivation (health belief), knowledge, and age of men who participated in prostate cancer screening compared to those who did not participate in prostate cancer screening. Forward logistic regression was used to determine which independent variables [health beliefs (benefits, barriers, motivation); knowledge; age; income; and education] were predictors of prostate cancer screening. Results indicated the overall model of one predictor, motivation, was statistically reliable in predicting prostate cancer screening participation among the rural dwelling men surveyed. The model accounted for 15 to 20% of the variance. The sensitivity of the model in predicting those who would participate in prostate cancer screening was 85%. The odds of those who would participate in prostate cancer screening were 1.3 times greater for each one unit increase in motivation. Results indicate a need for more educational and motivational interventions to promote informed decision making by African American men in regards to prostate screening activities. These interventions need to be culturally sensitive and geared toward African American men, specifically those living in rural areas.

Reproduction de : Thèse d' exercice : Médecine spécialisée : Nancy 1 : 2002. / Thèse : 2002NAN11143. Titre provenant de l'écran-titre.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-124). Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-124). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009. / Prepared for: Dept. of Pharmaceutics. Title from title-page of electronic thesis. Bibliography: leaves 289-311.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-69).

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Physiology / Master / Master of Philosophy

The development of prostate tumors has been linked to co-morbid diabetes mellitus (DM) in several studies, potentially through the stimulation of insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR). This study evaluates the effect of anti-diabetic medication use on the development of high grade tumors and time to tumor progression compared to non-diabetics. This retrospective, nested case control study identified patients with prostate cancer (PCa) from the Kentucky Medicaid Database. Cases were diagnosed with PCa and DM and using at least one of the following antidiabetic medications; sulfonylureas, insulin, metformin or TZDs. Cases were further stratified on their insulin exposure resulting from therapy. Controls were those with PCa without DM or any anti-diabetic medications. No statistically significant effects on insulin exposure was found on tumor grade and time to progression. Trends identified that use of metformin or TZDs potentially decreased the odds of high-grade tumors and decreased the risk of progression, while sulfonylureas and high-dose insulin may increase the odds of high-grade tumors and increase the risk of progression compared to non-diabetics. Future studies should be conducted to further evaluate the effects of anti-diabetic medications on tumor grade and time to prostate cancer progression.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-70).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-123).