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Examining Cultural Factors that Influence Treatment Decisions: a Pilot Study of Latino Men with Cancer

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore beliefs and treatment decisions of foreign-born Latino men from Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, who have been diagnosed with cancer and who live in Central Florida, USA. Experiences related to knowledge of diagnosis, treatment decisions, communication with health providers, family involvement, and advance care planning (ACP) discussions following the diagnosis of cancer are central to this study. This study used qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The interviews were conducted with 15 Latino men who have been diagnosed with cancer within the past 5 years and who reside in the community. The interviews were conducted and transcribed in Spanish and then translated into English. The median age was 55.4 years. Nine Latino men had prostate cancer, two had brain cancer, two had colorectal cancer, and two had lung cancer. Emerging themes involved the suddenness of the diagnosis, fear of dying, expectations of diagnosis-related communication, reliance on physicians for treatment decisions, limited information pertaining to ACP, family support, and role changes. Latino men's limited knowledge of cancer diagnosis and treatment options coupled with their fear led them to immediately believe that they were going to die. Knowledge gaps regarding diagnosis-related communication, treatment decisions, and ACP varied among the men. The forthright diagnosis communication and the expectation to engage in decision making are contrary to Latinos men's beliefs of reliance on health providers decisions. The findings contribute to understanding Latino men's beliefs about a cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Lee Green, Dr. Richard Roetzheim, the Division of Population Sciences, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute and the Division for Equal Health at University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida for their support. They also honor the Latino men who generously participated in the study and thank Ingrid Asmar for all of her contributions as research assistant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MHC 1438, Tampa, FL, 33612-3807, USA

    Iraida V. Carrion

  2. Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (HSR&D Center of Excellence for the Study of Healthcare Provide Behavior), Los Angeles, USA

    Frances R. Nedjat-Haiem

  3. USC School of Social Work, Los Angeles, USA

    Frances R. Nedjat-Haiem

  4. Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 W. Taylor Street, Room 625, MC 994, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    David X. Marquez

Authors
  1. Iraida V. Carrion
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  2. Frances R. Nedjat-Haiem
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  3. David X. Marquez
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Correspondence to Iraida V. Carrion.

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Carrion, I.V., Nedjat-Haiem, F.R. & Marquez, D.X. Examining Cultural Factors that Influence Treatment Decisions: a Pilot Study of Latino Men with Cancer. J Canc Educ 28, 729–737 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0522-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0522-9

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