Elsevier

Nursing Outlook

Volume 44, Issue 1, January–February 1996, Pages 18-21
Nursing Outlook

Cancer fatalism among african-americans: A review of the literature

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0029-6554(96)80020-0Get rights and content

Cancer fatalism among African-Americans is a barrier to their participation in cancer screening. A review of the literature provides greater insight into this phenomenon.

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      Not surprisingly, many lung cancer patients had high fatalism beliefs; however, patients with and without depression symptoms had comparable beliefs. Cancer fatalism is a situational manifestation of fatalism in which individuals feel powerless in the face of cancer and view their diagnosis as a struggle against predetermined, insurmountable odds [81–83]. Cancer fatalism has been identified as a barrier to participation in cancer treatment [83].

    • Low rates of child restraint system use in cars may be due to fatalistic beliefs and other factors

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      Not restraining children in the car may be an indicator of injury prevention behaviors and higher levels of fatalistic beliefs may serve as a barrier to adopting preventive measures or behaviors. In most of the studies, higher levels of fatalistic beliefs have been associated with low income and/or lower levels of education (Mayo et al., 2001; Niederdeppe & Levy, 2007; Powe, 1996; Russell, Champion, & Skinner, 2006; Vetter, Lewis, & Charny, 1991). This study also supports this finding, where levels of fatalism were higher among the less educated drivers.

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      2012, Journal of Geriatric Oncology
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      Two potential barriers unique to Black and Hispanic oncology patients of all ages are fatalism and medical mistrust. The concept of fatalism as it relates to cancer involves “the belief that death is inevitable when cancer is present39–41.” Lower levels of knowledge, education, income, socioeconomic status have all been found to be associated with higher cancer fatalism, hopelessness, inaccurate perceptions of risk, lack of cancer knowledge, poor adherence to cancer screening guidelines, later stage at diagnosis, and poorer quality of life or survival outcomes40–42.

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