Abstract A012: Perceptions about the need for colorectal cancer screening among male refugees in Salt Lake City

Abstract

Abstract Background: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) disproportionately affects Blacks in the United States (US) with an incidence rate >20% compared with Whites. In addition, Blacks are diagnosed at an earlier age and with more advanced disease. The population of migrants from Africa and the Middle East increased about four-fold over the past three decades. Therefore, increasing the uptake of CRC screening in this population may be critical in reducing the disparities in cancer-related morbidity and mortality in the US in the future. This study was therefore designed to elicit the perceptions of immigrants about the need for CRC screening. Methods: Twenty-three willing participants who identified as refugees from Africa or the Middle East who arrived within the past 2 years were recruited into three Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions in Salt Lake City. The discussions were audio-taped, transcribed and coded using the Dedoose software. Inter-observer variability was 74%. Results: Nineteen respondents (82%) reported awareness of the existence of CRC screening possibilities. Ten (43%) indicated that they will be willing to do the test if readily offered. Five major themes were identified: (1) Mistrust- Distrust of the system due to unfulfilled promises as refugees (2) Fear- fear of cancer based on past experiences (3) Fatalism-the belief that screening cannot lead to cure of cancer and (4) Doubts- doubts about whether Western culture can truly manage cancer. Conclusion: Perceptions about the need for CRC screening are accompanied by myths based on past experiences. There is also a need to explore targeted CRC prevention education with culture or religion specific inputs to improve CRC screening uptake among this population. Citation Format: Olanrewaju Onigbogi, Kebba Kah. Perceptions about the need for colorectal cancer screening among male refugees in Salt Lake City [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A012.