Colorectal cancer screening: the role of perceived susceptibility, risk and cultural illness beliefs among American Indians.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) disproportionately affects American Indians and is a leading cause of mortality despite being treatable when detected early.

Methods: An explanatory model to guide a CRC screening education media campaign was developed from survey and focus group data collected at three American Indian communities (n = 29) in California. Project data was analyzed using Chi Square, Fisher's Exact Test and thematic analysis.

Results: Low perceived susceptibility due to low harm value, cultural illness beliefs, and competing priorities likely lead to poor CRC screening behavior, placing American Indians at high risk for CRC mortality.