Preventive Medicine
Volume 67, 2014, Pages 89-99

Addressing cancer control needs of African-born immigrants in the US: A systematic literature review (Review)

Hurtado-de-Mendoza A.* , Song M. , Kigen O. , Jennings Y. , Nwabukwu I. , Sheppard V.B.
  • a Breast Cancer Program and Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
  • b Breast Cancer Program and Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
  • c Cancer Biology, Prevention and Control, University District of Columbia, Lombardi Cancer Center Cancer Prevention Master's Degree Program, Washington, DC, United States
  • d Breast Cancer Program and Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
  • e African Women's Cancer Awareness Association, Silver Spring, MD, United States
  • f Breast Cancer Program and Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States

Abstract

Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, African immigrants have worse cancer outcomes. However, there is little research about cancer behaviors and/or interventions in this growing population as they are generally grouped with populations from America or the Caribbean. This systematic review examines cancer-related studies that included African-born participants. We searched PsycINFO, Ovid Medline, Pubmed, CINHAL, and Web of Science for articles focusing on any type of cancer that included African-born immigrant participants. Twenty articles met study inclusion criteria; only two were interventions. Most articles focused on one type of cancer (n = 11) (e.g., breast cancer) and were conducted in disease-free populations (n = 15). Studies included African participants mostly from Nigeria (n = 8) and Somalia (n = 6). However, many papers (n = 7) did not specify nationality or had small percentages (< 5%) of African immigrants (n = 5). Studies found lower screening rates in African immigrants compared to other subpopulations (e.g. US-born). Awareness of screening practices was limited. Higher acculturation levels were associated with higher screening rates. Barriers to screening included access (e.g. insurance), pragmatic (e.g. transportation), and psychosocial barriers (e.g. shame).Interventions to improve cancer outcomes in African immigrants are needed. Research that includes larger samples with diverse African subgroups including cancer survivors is necessary to inform future directions. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.

Author Keywords

cancer Cancer prevention African immigrants Systematic literature review

Index Keywords

Nigeria immigrant breast cancer neoplasm prostate cancer Neoplasms human colorectal cancer statistics and numerical data priority journal cancer screening Early Detection of Cancer ethnology United States Humans migrant psychology Black person African Continental Ancestry Group male Emigrants and Immigrants female Review uterus cancer cancer control awareness uterine cervix cancer utilization systematic review early diagnosis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84905215277&doi=10.1016%2fj.ypmed.2014.07.006&partnerID=40&md5=9b38f1979eec8baf2e59027a71203051
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.07.006
ISSN: 00917435
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English