Utilizing cancer community outreach and engagement to explain impact of age, income, residence, knowledge, and survivorship on cancer fatalism in urban and rural/marginalized areas.

Abstract

10538 Background: Nigeria has the highest cancer burden in sub-Saharan Africa, with 124,815 incidences and 78,899 deaths. Popular fatalistic beliefs such as “cancer is a death sentence” and “cancer is not my portion” exist in this population, which potentially affects cancer prevention, early detection and increases poor treatment outcomes. Yet, factors responsible for these fatalistic cancer beliefs remain largely unknown. This study utilized cancer community outreach and engagement (COE) to understand cancer health disparities among Nigerians. Specifically, we assessed the association of age, income, residence, cancer knowledge, screening, survivorship, and current health on cancer fatalism (i.e., the view that cancer is a death sentence) in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to collect data from participants (n = 1457, 18-68 years old), in two COE events and two marginalized communities. Participants completed questionnaires via self-assessment. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Our findings showed that individuals who had not previously participated in cancer COE events reported higher cancer fatalism (β = 1.21, p < 0.001) compared to those who had previously participated. More cancer knowledge was related to lower cancer fatalism among participants (β = -0.21, p = 0.002). Participants who reported lower monthly income (β = 1.05, p = 0.002) and those who reported mid-low monthly income (β = 1.28, p < 0.001) had higher cancer fatalism. Participants aged 30-49 (β = 0.46, p = 0.049), residing in rural communities (β = 0.62, p = 0.006), and those who were married (β = 0.51, p = 0.029) reported higher cancer fatalism. Conclusions: Our study showed that participating in cancer COE events may lower cancer fatalism. The global cancer control communities, donor agencies, and Nigeria’s National Institute on Cancer Research and Treatment need to encourage more COE events as a crucial strategy for early detection and closing the cancer disparity gaps. There is a need for more cancer awareness and policy advocacy on cancer in this population.