Educational video helps ‘empower’ Black men to take control of prostate cancer risk
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Key takeaways:
- An educational video increased awareness for Black men about their risk for prostate cancer.
- Viewers described the video as useful, credible.
A 10-minute video designed to educate Black men on prostate cancer risks prompted 93% of viewers to report they intend to be screened in the future, according to study results presented at American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting.
Nearly all watchers came away from the video understanding Black men had a higher risk for prostate cancer and the information had utility.
“Our findings further reinforce the importance and impact of mobile and culturally relevant education for minority populations,” Mallorie C. Jones, MA, project manager in the internal medicine division at University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, told Healio. “By designing relatable content and focusing on the resolution of identified barriers, such as health care accessibility and affordability, we have the capacity to not only empower marginalized communities with knowing their health care status through screening, but also to equip them with science-based knowledge that participants are then able to convey to their social and professional networks.”
Background and methodology
Black men have significantly higher incidence rates of prostate cancer compared with white men (184.2 vs. 111.5 new cases per 100,000 people in the U.S. annually), and they have a much higher risk for death (2.2 times more likely), according to background information provided by AACR.
“Research shows that this disparity may be attributed to reduced access to care and endorsement of myths,” Jones said in the release.
“We wanted to design an initiative that would remove those barriers and provide this population with the high-quality care that we are equipped to deliver,” she told Healio.
Jones and colleagues showed their video, which featured a urologist and a Black pastor — a prostate cancer survivor himself — discussing cancer facts, screenings and myths, at 14 different community health events around Philadelphia between April and December 2023.
“This video, which features the real-life experiences of a Black prostate cancer survivor, puts a familiar face to prostate cancer that viewers can identify with,” Jones said. “Because the elevated rates for Black men are noted, the racial disparity is front-and-center, which allows those who watch it to learn of the importance of screening and — possibly most appealing of all — that the preliminary screening for prostate cancer is just a simple blood test.”
Before the video, viewers answered 10-item prostate cancer knowledge and 10-item decisional conflict scale questionnaires. After the video, they completed the same inquiries, as well as a question on intent to screen and a 10-item video satisfaction survey.
The Philadelphia Flyers and University of Pennsylvania provided giveaways, and everyone received a $10 gift card following completion.
Additionally, researchers had a licensed phlebotomist on-site so viewers could get screened following the completion of questionnaires.
Researchers had 619 men participate (mean age,51 years; 47% Black; 98% had at least a high school education; 76% employed full-time).
Results and next steps
Prior to the video, 74% of participants identified Black men as more likely to develop and die of prostate cancer. That number rose to 97% after watching the video.
Most viewers described the video as useful (98%), credible (97%) and possibly increasing awareness (94%).
Watchers had increased knowledge on five of the 10 items asked (P < 0.05), including disparities for Black men, the risks associated with family history, screening techniques, and Black men over 40 years of age being screened annually.
“These results were what we aimed for and were very pleasantly received,” Jones said. “It was a surprise that 26% of respondents noted they would have preferred to view the video in a clinical setting, as it was designed to be implemented in casual settings such as community event spaces.”
Jones noted in a press release that the length of the video could have also played a factor in its success.
Researchers plan to continue working on the video, including adding a brief recap to drive home the talking points and make it accessible for Spanish-speaking viewers. They also hope to reach more Black men, as well as other individuals who may have higher risks.
“Future research may examine the effectiveness for other minority populations, such as a targeted educational video in Spanish for Latino populations,” Jones told Healio. “Additionally, self-reported reasoning for the appeal of on-site screening and education may be further investigated, such as, ‘What about this video and on-site screening project impacts your decision to undergo a PSA screening today?’”
References:
- AACR. Culturally sensitive video targeting Black men may help increase awareness about prostate cancer (press release). Available at: https://www.aacr.org/about-the-aacr/newsroom/news-releases/culturally-sensitive-video-targeting-black-men-may-help-increase-awareness-about-prostate-cancer. Published April 9, 2024. Accessed April 11, 2024.
- Jones MC, et al. Abstract LB371. Presented at: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting; April 5-10, 2024; San Diego.
For more information:
Mallorie C. Jones, MA, can be reached at mallorie.jones@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
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Jones MC, et al. Abstract LB371. Presented at: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting; April 5-10, 2024; San Diego.
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