Abstract

Objective: To pilot a culturally tailored, peer-led, co-produced asset-based intervention workshop to encourage early diagnosis of prostate cancer for Black men.
Design: Mixed-methods pilot study
Setting: Community centres in the North-East of England and Scotland.
Participants: The intervention was delivered in November 2023 with Black African and Caribbean men (n=21), and again in February 2024 (n=41). Participants were highly educated and aged between 42 and 63 years. The intervention was qualitatively evaluated with 40 of the intervention participants.
Intervention: Underpinned by the Integrated Screening Action Model (I-SAM), we co-produced a culturally tailored, peer-led 2-hour workshop consisting of multiple components, including small group discussions about barriers to accessing prostate cancer care, GP health education, activities to facilitate effective communication with the GP and reception staff, and videos with testimonials from survivors, women, and religious leaders.
Primary outcomes: Knowledge, attitudes and intention to engage in prostate cancer testing were examined through a pre- and post-survey design. Intervention acceptability was qualitatively explored through focus groups.
Results: Participants (n=41) reported that the workshop increased their confidence in engaging with healthcare providers to discuss prostate cancer testing (I-SAM component: psychological capability). Knowledge (I-SAM component: psychological capability: Z= 4.939, p < 0.001) and intention to undergo prostate cancer testing (I-SAM component: decided to act): Z = 3.975, p < 0.001) significantly increased post-intervention. Focus group data showed participants enjoyed the workshop and found it acceptable and informative. They particularly liked that the workshop was delivered exclusively by people who shared participants’ cultural and racial backgrounds. Culturally tailored and faith-based messages made the intervention relevant to participants and facilitated trust-building.
Conclusion: Asset-based strategies, focusing on community strengths, including faith-based health promotion, can promote health behaviours in a culturally and spiritually meaningful way. The PROCAN-B intervention effectively targeted components within the I-SAM and shows potential to increase prostate cancer awareness and build confidence to engage in behaviours conducive to early diagnosis. However, the sample was small, and more robust effectiveness testing is needed.