Effect of Cultural, Folk, and Religious Beliefs and Practices on Delays in Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer in African American Women.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Moorman, Patricia G. Barrett, Nadine J. Wang, Frances Alberg, J. Anthony Bandera, Elisa V. Barnholtz-Sloan, J.B. Bondy, Melissa Cote, Michele L. Funkhouser, Ellen Kelemen, Linda E. Peres, Lauren C. Peters, Edwards S. Schwartz, A. G. Terry, Paul D. Crankshaw, Sydnee Abbott, Sarah E. Schildkraut, Joellen M.
Copyright Year	2019
Abstract	Abstract Background: Certain cultural, folk, and religious beliefs that are more common among African Americans (AAs) have been associated with later-stage breast cancer. It is unknown if these beliefs are similarly associated with delays in diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Methods: Data from a multicenter case–control study of ovarian cancer in AA women were used to examine associations between cultural/folk beliefs and religious practices and stage at diagnosis and symptom duration before diagnosis. Associations between cultural/folk beliefs or religious practices and stage at diagnosis were assessed with logistic regression analyses, and associations with symptom duration with linear regression analyses. Results: Agreement with several of the cultural/folk belief statements was high (e.g., 40% agreed that “if a person prays about cancer, God will heal it without medical treatments”), and ∼90% of women expressed moderate to high levels of religiosity/spirituality. Higher levels of religiosity/spirituality were associated with a twofold increase in the odds of stage III–IV ovarian cancer, whereas agreement with the cultural/folk belief statements was not associated with stage. Symptom duration before diagnosis was not consistently associated with cultural/folk beliefs or religiosity/spirituality. Conclusions: Women who reported stronger religious beliefs or practices had increased odds of higher stage ovarian cancer. Inaccurate cultural/folk beliefs about cancer treament were not associated with stage; however, these beliefs were highly prevalent in our population and could impact patient treatment decisions. Our findings suggest opportunities for health education interventions, especially working with churches, and improved doctor–patient communication.
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC6482889&blobtype=pdf
Page Count	8
ISSN	15409996
Volume Number	28
DOI	10.1089/jwh.2018.7031
PubMed Central reference number	PMC6482889
Issue Number	4
PubMed reference number	30481095
Journal	Journal of Women's Health [J Womens Health (Larchmt)]
e-ISSN	1931843X
Language	English
Publisher	Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
Publisher Date	2018-11-27
Publisher Place	USA
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
Subject Keyword	African Americans ovarian cancer cultural beliefs folk beliefs religion
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Medicine