Negative Media Messages Discourage CRC Screening in Blacks

When African Americans hear a positive message that emphasizes progress being made for blacks with colon cancer, they are much more likely to want to be screened.  On the other hand, negative messages that talk about their poorer outcomes make them less willing to have screening tests.

Health communications researchers at St. Louis University asked 300 African-Americans to read one of four mock news articles about colorectal cancer, chosen randomly.  Three messages were negative, emphasizing differences from whites. One focused on the progress that blacks were making surviving colorectal cancer.

Participants who read the positive article had more positive emotional reactions and more often said they wanted to be screened.  The negative articles had the opposite effect. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on November 7th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: disparities, screening

ASCO, Susan B. Komen Join to Increase Diversity in Oncology

Susan B. Komen for the Cure joined the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to increase the number of minorities practicing oncology in the United States.  By recruiting and training more doctors as oncologists from groups underrepresented in medicine, they hope to improve cancer care for ethnically diverse patients. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 6th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: disparities

Treatment for Severe Cancer Pain: Women Versus Men

Are men and women with severe cancer pain treated in the same way?

Although both sexes reported the same level of worst pain in a past week, men were more likely to have a prescription for high-potency pain medicine and receive higher doses of morphine.

Women being first evaluated at a cancer pain clinic reported more pain “right now” and higher average pain during the past week.  However, a review of their medical charts showed they were getting  less morphine and had higher average pain scores than men.  They were more likely to say that their pain was poorly controlled. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 29th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tags: cancer pain, disparities

Large Polyps Found More Often in Blacks

Colon and rectum

Both black men and black women are more likely to have large polyps found during screening colonoscopies than whites.  Results of a large study that collected information from 67 gastrointestinal practices over two years found 6.2 percent of whites and 7.7 percent of blacks had colorectal polyps (adenomas) were larger than 9 millimeters.  These advanced adenomas have the most risk of developing into colon or rectal cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 23rd, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer prevention, disparities

Hair Stylists Promote CRC Screening Via “Shop Talk”

Hair stylists and barbers in South Carolina are delivering a life-saving message to the folks sitting in their chairs — see your doctor about being screened for colorectal cancer.  More than 40 hair care professionals have already been trained in how to help their clients avoid colon and rectal cancer by following screening recommendations.  The goal is to reach at least 100 stylists, each promising to talk to 100 clients. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 23rd, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer prevention, disparities