Improving Recruitment of African American Males to Prostate Screenings

African American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer. Further, African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in a more advanced stage of the disease and are more likely to die of it than any other racial or ethnic group in the US. Although prostate screening is controversial, data suggests that for the African American population early detection may help eliminate or reduce the disparity between racial groups. Poor African American participation at prostate cancer screening events is a significant barrier to early detection. Several approaches to recruiting African Americans have been documented in the literature including the lay health educator model and education within a faith based setting. This paper reviews current issues surrounding health disparities related to prostate cancer; issues related to prostate cancer screening; the concept of lay health advisors; and education in the African American church as an avenue to recruit African Americans to prostate cancer screenings. Craven County's unique experience in increasing African American participation in a local prostate cancer screening program over a recent three-year period will be presented. Successes and failures of the program and other lessons learned in using concepts from the lay health advisor model within the African American churches to educate and recruit participants for the screening will be discussed.Master of Public Healt