Work

Barriers to early detection and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in African American men

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: African Amercians afflicted with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a strikingly worse survival than do whites. One apparent cause is an advanced stage of presentation in African Americans. This study was designed to identify barriers to early treatment among African American men. METHODS: Twenty-four African American male HNSCC survivors completed structured interviews. Interviewers elicited the participants' experiences from symptom recognition to receiving definitive care. RESULTS: Most participants were seen with advanced-stage HNSCC. Overall, 10% experienced barriers to obtaining early medical care, though 30% were hesitant to seek care due to perceived barriers. Definitive treatment began for 81% within 3 months of initial care seeking. CONCLUSION: Once participants sought care, most of them received definitive treatment within a reasonable time frame. To explain the advanced stage at presentation, either tumor growth rate was extremely rapid or participants sought care when the tumor was quite advanced. The themes suggested by this elicitation study require further validation.

Source: Head & Neck

DOI: 10.1002/hed.21125

Authors: William R. Carroll, Connie L. Kohler, Vivian L. Carter, Lonnie Hannon, Joni B. Skipper, Eben L. Rosenthal

Institutions: University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tuskegee University

Language: English

Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute