Hispanic American and Prostate Cancer

Hispanic Americans and Prostate Cancer

Introduction

Phase one of this project begins with the identification of the research problem, clear identification, and recognition of the problem’s significance to nursing. Further, the phase determines the purpose of the research and articulates the guiding research questions and concludes by defining the key essentials that are aligned to the study.

Based on US Census Bureau, 55 million Americans are ethnically Hispanic accounting for 17 percent of the US total population. However, while heart diseases are the leading cause of death in the US, among the Hispanics, cancer is the main cause of death accounting for 22 percent of all their deaths (Siegel et al., 2015). Moreover, among Hispanic men, as from 2015, prostate cancer remains as the most prevalent type of cancer with over 10,000 new cases diagnosed annually. As a result, prostate prevalence among Hispanic Americans is about 112 per 100,000 making it lower by 9 percent compared to non-Hispanic whites 123 per 100,000 due to the paucity of prostate-specific antigen testing among them. Also, while the prevalence of prostate cancer continues to decline among men across the different ethnic/racial backgrounds, it remains a serious health concern to the Hispanic community because approximately 1800 Hispanic men die annually from prostate cancer (Siegel, Miller, & Jemal, 2015).

Clear Problem Identification

Although prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer deaths among Hispanic males, most of them rarely receive the necessary treatment to combat cancer in time hence the high mortality rates within the ethnic group compared to Asian-Americans and Whites. Both Hispanic and African Americans are often less likely to receive radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy treatment compared to whites. Therefore, to help reduce the prevalence and mortality rates of prostate cancer among Hispanic Americans, transitional nursing has a significant role in helping close the existing gap and help Hispanic men access definitive prostate cancer treatment.

While consistent prostate cancer screening is the key in preventing it, only a few Hispanic men participate when compared to those of Caucasian descent. Consequently Aizer et al. (2014) determined that the main possible explanation for the apparent disparity is the lack of adequate knowledge concerning prostate cancer screening procedures, digital rectal examination and any clue about prostate specific antigen. Further, because prostate cancer affects the genitals, most Hispanic men shy away from discussing it openly hence only seek treatment when the cancer is advanced. A study by Siegel et al. (2015) also ascertained that among the Hispanics, the lower literacy levels compared to Whites is a factor in the lack of the early participation of prostate screening thus any health promotion material targeting them should be at their reading and knowledge level.

Significance of the study to Nursing

The lack of proper definitive treatment and even participation in prostate cancer screening among Hispanic Americans remains a worrying trend in regards to treatment and prevention of prostate cancer. Therefore, being cognizant that this group is often reluctant in seeking prostate cancer treatment, it is imperative that transitional nursing takes the leading role in educating Hispanic men about prostate cancer, its treatment and after treatment monitoring. Nurses are also to provide advice on its management and the vital psychosocial support that both the patients and families need as they fight the cancer. Because cancer often leads to chronic trauma both on the patient and families, nurses must help in the creation of an efficient home health care setting to ensure the best care. Subsequently, nurses can reduce constant re-hospitalizations and also urge other family members to be more willing to discuss prostate cancer without shying away from it and to undergo screening for better health.

Purpose of the research

Although among the Hispanic Americans when compared to African Americans and Whites have a relatively lower prostate cancer prevalence, their lack of awareness and participation in screening procedures remains a major challenge in eradicating prostate cancer. Moreover, studies on examining the reasons for the phenomenon to date remains limited, and the few instruments designed to monitor screening intentions and behavior intentions rarely use Hispanic Americans as the research participants. The study's aim thus is to create an assessment design that compliments the current literature on behavioral intentions of Hispanic Americans in participating in prostate cancer screening. Subsequently, the aim is to be achieved by examining the cultural attitudes and beliefs of Hispanic Americans concerning prostate cancer and a deeper exploration of the perceived factors that impact screening among the Hispanic Americans. The next objective of the study is to create a measuring instrument for prostate cancer screening for the Hispanic Americans that is valid, reliable and most importantly culturally sensitive to ensure efficient transitional nursing care.