Description
This paper explores the perspectives of Latino focus group participants regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and gender. In the United States (US), the Latino community screens for CRC much less than other groups. Latino men can screen at low rates while their CRC mortality rates are high. The present focus group participants corroborated findings in which Latino study participants perceive threats to masculinity to be a barrier for men in CRC screening. Using Grounded Theory to analyze the focus group transcripts, a theory emerges that explores the potential role that Latino men’s female partners can have to encourage their screening. There exists evidence that Latino men can benefit from their partners’ support to complete their CRC screening. In theory, a woman’s encouragement is successful in this context because she can mitigate the perceived threats to masculinity. Further research should test the strategy of female partner support for Latino men’s CRC screening. Keywords: colorectal cancer, community preventative health care, Latino population, gender identity
