Melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non‐latinx white adults in urban and rural California: A qualitative exploration
Abstract Background Melanoma mortality rates in the US are highest among older men, individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES), and people of color. To better understand these inequities, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted in Northern and Southern California to generate knowledge abo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Cancer Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5457 |
| _version_ | 1827974932622999552 |
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| author | Rachel J. Mesia Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa Hayden Hutchison Nadia Safaeinili Laurel J. Finster Vijaytha Muralidharan Beth A. Glenn Robert W. Haile Lisa Goldman Rosas Susan M. Swetter |
| author_facet | Rachel J. Mesia Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa Hayden Hutchison Nadia Safaeinili Laurel J. Finster Vijaytha Muralidharan Beth A. Glenn Robert W. Haile Lisa Goldman Rosas Susan M. Swetter |
| author_sort | Rachel J. Mesia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Melanoma mortality rates in the US are highest among older men, individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES), and people of color. To better understand these inequities, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted in Northern and Southern California to generate knowledge about barriers and facilitators of awareness, prevention, and early detection of melanoma in lower SES Latinx and non‐Latinx White (NLW) individuals living in urban and semi‐rural areas. Methods Nineteen focus groups were conducted (N = 176 adult participants), stratified by race/ethnicity (Latinx, low‐income NLW), geography (semi‐rural, urban), and language (English and Spanish). Inductive and deductive thematic analysis was conducted, and the findings were organized using the socioecological model framework: individual, interpersonal, community, and health system/policy levels. Results Four socioecological themes describe how key factors affect knowledge, perceived risk, preventive behaviors, and melanoma screening. Individual level findings revealed that many participants were not familiar with melanoma, yet were willing to learn through trusted sources. Having brown or darker skin tone was perceived as being associated with lower risk for skin cancer. Interpersonally, social relationships were important influences for skin cancer prevention practice. However, for several Latinx and semi‐rural participants, conversations about melanoma prevention did not occur with family and peers. At the community level, semi‐rural participants reported distance or lack of transportation to a clinic as challenges for accessing dermatology care. Healthcare systems barriers included burdens of additional healthcare costs for dermatology visits and obtaining referral. Conclusions Varying factors influence the awareness levels, beliefs, and behaviors associated with knowledge, prevention, and early detection of melanoma among low‐income Latinx and NLW individuals and in semi‐rural areas. Results have implications for health education interventions. Navigation strategies that target individuals, families, and health care settings can promote improved prevention and early detection of melanoma in these communities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T20:03:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c0e66148d9334939942199e614afe1ca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7634 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T20:03:00Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cancer Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-c0e66148d9334939942199e614afe1ca2023-04-02T20:55:01ZengWileyCancer Medicine2045-76342023-03-011267438744910.1002/cam4.5457Melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non‐latinx white adults in urban and rural California: A qualitative explorationRachel J. Mesia0Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa1Hayden Hutchison2Nadia Safaeinili3Laurel J. Finster4Vijaytha Muralidharan5Beth A. Glenn6Robert W. Haile7Lisa Goldman Rosas8Susan M. Swetter9Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford California USAStanford University School of Medicine, Office of Community Engagement Stanford California USACancer Research Center for Health Equity, Cedars Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles California USAStanford University School of Medicine, Office of Community Engagement Stanford California USACancer Research Center for Health Equity, Cedars Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles California USADepartment of Dermatology/Cutaneous Oncology Stanford University Medical Center Stanford California USAUCLA Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity Los Angeles California USACancer Research Center for Health Equity, Cedars Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles California USAStanford University School of Medicine, Office of Community Engagement Stanford California USADepartment of Dermatology/Cutaneous Oncology Stanford University Medical Center Stanford California USAAbstract Background Melanoma mortality rates in the US are highest among older men, individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES), and people of color. To better understand these inequities, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted in Northern and Southern California to generate knowledge about barriers and facilitators of awareness, prevention, and early detection of melanoma in lower SES Latinx and non‐Latinx White (NLW) individuals living in urban and semi‐rural areas. Methods Nineteen focus groups were conducted (N = 176 adult participants), stratified by race/ethnicity (Latinx, low‐income NLW), geography (semi‐rural, urban), and language (English and Spanish). Inductive and deductive thematic analysis was conducted, and the findings were organized using the socioecological model framework: individual, interpersonal, community, and health system/policy levels. Results Four socioecological themes describe how key factors affect knowledge, perceived risk, preventive behaviors, and melanoma screening. Individual level findings revealed that many participants were not familiar with melanoma, yet were willing to learn through trusted sources. Having brown or darker skin tone was perceived as being associated with lower risk for skin cancer. Interpersonally, social relationships were important influences for skin cancer prevention practice. However, for several Latinx and semi‐rural participants, conversations about melanoma prevention did not occur with family and peers. At the community level, semi‐rural participants reported distance or lack of transportation to a clinic as challenges for accessing dermatology care. Healthcare systems barriers included burdens of additional healthcare costs for dermatology visits and obtaining referral. Conclusions Varying factors influence the awareness levels, beliefs, and behaviors associated with knowledge, prevention, and early detection of melanoma among low‐income Latinx and NLW individuals and in semi‐rural areas. Results have implications for health education interventions. Navigation strategies that target individuals, families, and health care settings can promote improved prevention and early detection of melanoma in these communities.https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5457health behaviorshealth disparitiesLatino/a/xmelanomarural disparities |
| spellingShingle | Rachel J. Mesia Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa Hayden Hutchison Nadia Safaeinili Laurel J. Finster Vijaytha Muralidharan Beth A. Glenn Robert W. Haile Lisa Goldman Rosas Susan M. Swetter Melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non‐latinx white adults in urban and rural California: A qualitative exploration Cancer Medicine health behaviors health disparities Latino/a/x melanoma rural disparities |
| title | Melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non‐latinx white adults in urban and rural California: A qualitative exploration |
| title_full | Melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non‐latinx white adults in urban and rural California: A qualitative exploration |
| title_fullStr | Melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non‐latinx white adults in urban and rural California: A qualitative exploration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non‐latinx white adults in urban and rural California: A qualitative exploration |
| title_short | Melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non‐latinx white adults in urban and rural California: A qualitative exploration |
| title_sort | melanoma awareness and prevention among latinx and non latinx white adults in urban and rural california a qualitative exploration |
| topic | health behaviors health disparities Latino/a/x melanoma rural disparities |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5457 |
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