A study has revealed insights into the cancer screening behaviors of Muslims in the Washington, D.C., area, highlighting the influence of cultural and religious beliefs on health practices.
The study, conducted in collaboration with key faith leaders from four mosques in the region, underscores the need for culturally and religiously sensitive health initiatives to improve cancer screening rates among Muslims. The findings were published in the Journal of Cancer Education . The Washington, D.
C., metropolitan area, which includes parts of Virginia and Maryland (DMV), is home to one of the largest and most diverse Muslim communities in the United States. Despite this, cancer screening behaviors within this community remain under-researched.
To address this gap, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted with 203 participants recruited through community outreach and engagement efforts. This collaborative approach ensured that the questions posed were both religiously and culturally sensitive. Key findings from the study include an overall lower rate of screening among the Muslim population surveyed than in the DMV: The study also revealed that many participants relied on their faith to guide their cancer screening decisions.
Women were more likely than men to rely on their faith when dealing with health concerns . "Findings from our study highlight that religious and cultural beliefs may play a role in influencing health behaviors; however, to better understand those roles, .
