| According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer affecting African American women and men (ACS, 2007). Individuals commonly have questions, misconceptions, and fears about CRC (ACS, 2011). CRC screening is critical to detecting precancerous polyps or diagnosing cancer in its early stages when survival is greatest.;Fatalism has been of considerable significance to healthcare professionals and practitioners in the 21st century as healthcare shifts from focusing on diseases and treatment to health promotion and preventive care. Screening is important in preventing CRC, and fatalism has been identified as a barrier to screening for African Americans (Powe, 1996). If the nursing profession is to effectively integrate cancer screening into support-enhancing interventions as a means to improve quality care and health outcomes, it is imperative that the concept of fatalism be examined in relationship to health promotion, health behaviors, and health screening among diverse populations.;A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with African American mother/guardian-daughter dyads (N = 27) to explore fatalism and CRC screening in African Americans. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the theoretical framework that guided the study, and the Colorectal Cancer, Knowledge, Perceptions, and Screening Survey (CRCKPSS) was used to measure study variables. Data were collected on demographics, CRC knowledge, and future intentions to have CRC screening. The Powe Fatalism Inventory (PFI) was used to measure fatalism.;Self-reporting methodology was implemented to explore predictors of CRC screening and fatalism, and descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic variables of the participants. Inferential statistics, such as the t-test, Wilcoxon Rank Test, and Spearman's rho, were used to predict intention to get CRC screening and the presence of fatalistic beliefs in African American women. Statistically significant differences were found for the three hypotheses tested. Findings indicated a decrease in fatalism and an increase in CRC screening knowledge and intention to obtain CRC screening among participants who received an educational intervention administered by daughters enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program. |
