Fear and loathing in the Caribbean: three studies of fear and cancer screening in Brooklyn's immigrant Caribbean subpopulations
2009

Fear and Cancer Screening in Caribbean Immigrants

Sample size: 2077 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Consedine Nathan S, Adjei Brenda A, Horton David, Joe Andrew K, Borrell Luisa N, Ramirez Paul Michael, Ungar Tracey, McKiernan James M, Jacobson Judith S, Magai Carol, Neugut Alfred I

Primary Institution: Long Island University and Columbia University

Hypothesis

Do cancer-related fears and emotional responses vary among Caribbean immigrant subpopulations and predict screening behavior?

Conclusion

Caribbean immigrant subpopulations in Brooklyn screen for breast and prostate cancer at lower rates than US-born African Americans and European Americans, with emotional responses influencing these rates.

Supporting Evidence

  • Caribbean women screened less frequently than US-born African Americans and European Americans.
  • Men from the Caribbean had similar prostate screening rates to US-born African Americans and European Americans.
  • Emotional characteristics like cancer worry predicted more frequent screening.
  • Fear of screening was higher among US-born African Americans and Caribbean immigrant men.

Takeaway

People from the Caribbean living in Brooklyn are scared about cancer screenings and don't go as often as they should, which can be bad for their health.

Methodology

Data from three community-based studies were combined, focusing on cancer screening behaviors and emotional responses among Caribbean immigrants.

Potential Biases

Potential biases in self-reported data and sampling methods could affect the results.

Limitations

The studies may not fully capture the diversity of emotional responses across all Caribbean subpopulations.

Participant Demographics

Participants included Caribbean immigrants and US-born individuals from various ethnic backgrounds, aged 40-70.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1750-9378-4-S1-S14

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