Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fatalism as a barrier to cancer screening among African-Americans: Philosophical perspectives

  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fatalism has been identified as a crucial barrier to participation in cancer screening among African Americans. The essence of fatalism is woven throughout the lived experience for some African Americans. Therefore, to fully understand its impact, fatalism must be viewed within its broadest historical and sociocultural context. This article explores the philosophical origins and the practical significance of fatalism with regard to cancer screening among this population. Health care professionals must position themselves to promptly identify fatalistic persons. Interventions to successfully negate the influence of fatalism are needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. 1994 Cancer facts and figures. New York: American Cancer Society, 1994.

  2. Cancer and the poor: A Report to the Nation. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 1990.

  3. Barresi, C. and Menon, G. “Diversity in Black Family Caregiving.” In Z. Harel, E. McKinney, and M. Williams, (eds.).Black Aged: Understanding diversity and Service Needs, Newbury Park: Sage, 1990, 221–235.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Blendon, R., Aiken, L., Freeman, H., and Corey, C. “Access to Medical Care for Black and White Americans: A matter of continuing concern.”Journal of the American Medical Association, 1992, 261: 278–281.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Boring, C., Squires, T., and Heath, C. “Cancer statistics for African-Americans.”Ca-A: Cancer Journal of Clinicians, 1992, 42: 7–17.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Campbell, K., (ed.).The State of Black South Carolina: 1992–1993. Columbia, SC: Columbia Urban League, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Clavon, A. “The Black Elderly.”Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 1986, 12: 6–12.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Dyson, M.Reflecting Black: African American Cultural Criticism. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Escarce, J., Epstein, K., Colby, D., and Schwartz, S. “Racial Differences in the Elderly's Use of Medical Procedures and Diagnostic Tests.”American Journal of Public Health, 1993, 83: 948–954.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Franklin, J. and Moss, A.From Slavery to Freedom: A History of Negro Americans, New York: McGraw Hill, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Freeman, H.Cancer and the Socioeconomic Disadvantaged. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Guillory, J. “Ethnic Perspectives of Cancer Nursing: The Black American.”Oncology Nursing Forum, 1987, 14: 66–69.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hecht, M., Collier M., and Ribeau, S.African American Communication: Ethnic Identity and Cultural Interpretation, Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kierkegaard, S.Concluding Unscientific Postscript, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1947.

    Google Scholar 

  15. LaVeist, T. “Beyond Dummy Variables and Sample Selection: What Health Services Researchers Ought to Know about Race as a Variable.”Health Services Research, 1994, 29: 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Porter, C. and Villarruel, A. “Nursing Research with African American and Hispanic People: Guidelines for Action.”Nursing Outlook, 1993, 41: 59–66.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Pounds, M. “The Culture of Poverty in the Black American.”Proceedings of the National Advisory Committee on Cancer in the Socioeconomically Disadvantaged. Atlanta: American Cancer Society.

  18. Powe, B.D.Fatalism and Participation in Colorectal Cancer Screening among Poor, Elderly Black Individuals, 1994, Unpublished doctoral dissertation.

  19. Russell, K. and Jewell, N. “Cultural Impact of Health Care Access: Challenges for Improving the Health of African Americans.”Journal of Community Health Nursing, 1992, 9: 161–191.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Thurman, H.Jesus and the Disinherited. New York: Harper, 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  21. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.Healthy people 2000: National health promotion and disease prevention objectives. DHSS Pub. No. (PHS) 91-50213. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  22. West, C.Race Matters, Boston: Beacon Press, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  23. West, C.Prophesy Deliverance: An Afro-American Revolutionary Christianity. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wilkes, G., Freeman, H., and Prout, M. “Cancer and Poverty: Breaking the Cycle.”Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 1994, 10: 79–88.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Young, H.Hope in Progress. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C.

    Barbara D. Powe R.N., Ph.D. (an Assistant Professor)

  2. the Department of Religious Studies at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.

    Alonzo Johnson Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)

Authors
  1. Barbara D. Powe R.N., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alonzo Johnson Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Powe, B.D., Johnson, A. Fatalism as a barrier to cancer screening among African-Americans: Philosophical perspectives. J Relig Health 34, 119–126 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02248767

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02248767

Keywords

Search

Navigation