Racial disparities in illness knowledge, sources used for cancer information, and perception of cancer treatment: A URCC CCOP Study. Free

B22

Backgrounds: Illness knowledge and sources used for cancer information can influence patients’ health behaviors. Despite their importance, however, few studies have examined the effects of these variables on perception of cancer treatment, especially across divergent ethno-cultural groups.
 Methods: The present sample included 973 cancer patients (904 whites, 69 non-whites) undergoing treatment at 20 geographically separate Community Clinical Oncology Program sites. Participants provided information about their perception of cancer and its treatment, and the sources used for cancer information: medical/professional, community, and media.
 Results: The analyses showed significant relationships between patients’ race and utilization of medical/professional sources for cancer information and perception of cancer and its treatment (p-values < 0.01). Specifically, nonwhites reported greater desire for information (p <.0001), and were less likely to rely on medical/professional sources for cancer-related information. However, the results showed no significant differences in education and occupation between whites and non-whites. A multiple regression analysis revealed a significant model (p < 0.0001) that explains 82% of the variance in patients’ perception of cancer treatment (Adj. R² = .823). Illness knowledge and use of medical/professional sources for cancer information were strongly predicted patients’ perception of cancer treatment (p-values < 0.01).
 Conclusion: There are important differences by race in unmet need for cancer information and for the sources used for this information. These findings indicate the need for clinicians working with patients from diverse backgrounds to assess patients understanding of cancer information and desire for more information. Perhaps programs designed to enhance cancer and cancer treatment knowledge are not reaching nonwhite individuals as well as whites.