Gendered Paths To Cancer Knowledge and Screening Behavior among Black Adults: Results from a Community-Partnered Study

Efforts are needed to promote cancer knowledge and the uptake of cancer screening behaviors among Black Americans. Such efforts must be customized for the unique differences in facilitators/barriers among Black men and women. The present study leverages the potential of the UF Health Cancer Institute Community-Partnered Cancer Disparities Research Collaborative (CDRC) to identify the psychosocial and structural factors associated with cancer knowledge and screening behaviors among Black American men and women. 411 Black Americans participated in this cross-sectional study; 75.9% identified as cisgender women and 24.1% as cisgender men. Older age, higher education and income level were significantly associated with increased cancer-related knowledge among Black men and women across different cancer types, while greater perceived racism was significantly associated with decreased cancer-related knowledge. Older age, greater perceptions of provider cultural sensitivity, and greater patient satisfaction with the provider were significantly associated with increased odds of cancer-related screening among Black women and men, across cancer types. Notably, greater time spent with provider was associated with decreased odds of cancer-related screening among Black women, while greater patient satisfaction with accessibility and convenience was significantly associated with increased odds of cancer-related screening among Black men. The CDRC and the CBPR approach together hold potential for engaging Black men and women in cancer research similar to that in the present study. The results of this study can help inform future research and interventions that aim to promote cancer knowledge and screening behaviors among Black men and women.