Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among men with a history of prostate cancer.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been commonly used among Americans; however, less is known about its use among men with a history of prostate cancer. This study used the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to explore the amount and type of CAM use among 218 Black and White men with a history of prostate cancer. Over 90% of men reported having ever used any form of CAM and most men used biologically-based and mind-body therapies. Nurses are in a unique position to discuss, to assess needs and practices, and perhaps, to act as intermediaries for physicians and other healthcare professionals and prostate cancer survivors who use CAM.

Assessing the readiness of black churches to engage in health disparities research.

We assessed church readiness to engage in health disparities research using a newly developed instrument, examined the correlates of readiness, and described strategies that churches used to promote health. We pilot tested the instrument with churches in a church-academic partnership (n = 12). We determined level of readiness to engage in research and assessed correlates of readiness. We also conducted interviews with participating pastors to explore strategies they had in place to support research engagement. Churches scored fairly high in readiness (average of 4.04 out of 5). Churches with a pastor who promoted the importance of good nutrition in a sermon or had a budget for health-related activities had significantly higher readiness scores than churches without such practices. Having a tool to evaluate church readiness to engage in research will inform targeted technical assistance and research projects that will strengthen church-academic partnerships and improve capacity to address health disparities.

Prostate-specific antigen test use and digital rectal examinations among African-American men, 2002-2006.

African-American men experience greater incidence and mortality from prostate cancer compared to White men as well as men from other groups. Few studies have examined prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal examination (DRE) use in African-American men. This study examined use of the PSA test and DRE among African-American men over time and identified correlates associated with the use of these procedures. Overall trends for years 2002-2006 showed a significant decrease in recent PSA test use and DRE among African-American men in 2004 and 2006 compared to year 2002. Recent PSA test use and DRE were associated with several factors including older ages, being married, higher levels of education and income, and overweight and obese body mass index (BMI). PSA test use and DRE among African-American men should be monitored over time to find out if this pattern continues.