• Patricia G Moorman, Nadine J Barrett, Frances Wang, J Anthony Alberg, Elisa V Bandera, J B Barnholtz-Sloan, Melissa Bondy, Michele L Cote, Ellen Funkhouser, Linda E Kelemen, Lauren C Peres, Edwards S Peters, A G Schwartz, Paul D Terry, Sydnee Crankshaw, Sarah E Abbott, and Joellen M Schildkraut.
• 1 Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
• J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2019 Apr 1; 28 (4): 444-451.

BackgroundCertain cultural, folk, and religious beliefs that are more common among African Americans (AAs) have been associated with later-stage breast cancer. It is unknown if these beliefs are similarly associated with delays in diagnosis of ovarian cancer.MethodsData from a multicenter case-control study of ovarian cancer in AA women were used to examine associations between cultural/folk beliefs and religious practices and stage at diagnosis and symptom duration before diagnosis. Associations between cultural/folk beliefs or religious practices and stage at diagnosis were assessed with logistic regression analyses, and associations with symptom duration with linear regression analyses.ResultsAgreement with several of the cultural/folk belief statements was high (e.g., 40% agreed that "if a person prays about cancer, God will heal it without medical treatments"), and ∼90% of women expressed moderate to high levels of religiosity/spirituality. Higher levels of religiosity/spirituality were associated with a twofold increase in the odds of stage III-IV ovarian cancer, whereas agreement with the cultural/folk belief statements was not associated with stage. Symptom duration before diagnosis was not consistently associated with cultural/folk beliefs or religiosity/spirituality.ConclusionsWomen who reported stronger religious beliefs or practices had increased odds of higher stage ovarian cancer. Inaccurate cultural/folk beliefs about cancer treament were not associated with stage; however, these beliefs were highly prevalent in our population and could impact patient treatment decisions. Our findings suggest opportunities for health education interventions, especially working with churches, and improved doctor-patient communication.

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