Fatalism Revisited

Objectives

To review the concept of fatalism among African Americans by discussing how religiosity/spirituality may guide them in seeking cancer care in a positive rather than a fatalistic way.

Data Sources

Nursing, social science, and medical journals.

Conclusion

Using culturally targeted faith-based interventions to educate African Americans about cancer can serve as a strategy to increase cancer knowledge, decrease cancer fatalism, and ultimately increase cancer screening and treatment resulting in cancer activism.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Nurses should advocate for faith-based initiatives to help address fatalism in the African American community, and to assist them in developing a more proactive role in cancer screening, treatment, and survivorship.

Keywords: African Americans, cancer fatalism, cancer activism, religion, spirituality