Hispanics lack trust in health care professionals, more often avoid cancer screenings

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center conducted a random telephone survey among blacks, whites and Hispanics in New York, Baltimore and Puerto Rico, and found that Hispanics are nearly twice as likely to report that fear of being used as a “guinea pig” and lack of trust in medical professionals contribute in being unwilling to participate in cancer screenings. The researchers concluded that health care providers need to do a better job of instilling trust and dispelling certain fears, particularly among Hispanics, to improve cancer screening rates for lower-income minorities.

The study found differences between socio demographic groups in levels of fear and mistrust with regard to the provider-patient relationships and communications that may contribute to unwillingness to participate in cancer screenings.

The researchers found that when compared to whites, Hispanics were nearly twice as likely to report a fear of being a guinea pig, and a lack of trust in health care professionals would contribute to unwillingness to participate in cancer screenings. Non-college educated individuals with less than a high school education or diploma were found to be twice as likely as college graduates to fear embarrassment during screening.

Screening offers opportunities for early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Given the disparities in cancer screening utilization and the adverse health implications of such disparities, it is critical to understand the factors contributing to the problem, said the authors, an added that racial, ethnic and educational discrepancies exist regarding fears and mistrust. Results also indicate areas where health professionals can improve interactions with patients, particularly among Hispanics and those with lower educational attainment.

The researchers added that communication can be especially difficult where there are language barriers; yet improving patient-provider communication holds tremendous promise because it offers one of the more readily changeable contributors to cancer screening adherence.

Source: Moffitt Cancer Center, Moffitt Cancer Center Researchers Find Hispanics Lack Trust in Health Care Professionals, More Often Avoid Cancer Screenings, Jan, 03 2013