Browsing by Subject "Cancer Prevention"

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    Cancer Prevention Among Homeless Smokers
    (2016-07) Pinsker, Erika
    Cancer is a leading cause of death among the homeless. Many of these deaths could be prevented through cancer screening and smoking cessation efforts. This dissertation includes three manuscripts focused on cancer screening and smoking cessation. The three manuscripts were secondary data analyses of a smoking cessation RCT among 430 homeless smokers. Fifty-six percent of females received a mammogram and 68% received a Pap test in the past year. Black race, smoking reduction, greater motivation to quit, and having a case manager were associated with a higher probability of mammography screening, whereas addiction to smoking, overweight/obesity, anxiety, and having more competing needs were associated with a lower probability. Black race was associated with a higher probability of Pap test screening, whereas addiction to smoking and greater cigarette consumption were associated with a lower probability. Females had greater concerns about gaining weight after quitting smoking (i.e., cessation-related weight concern) than males. Among males, older age, Black race, higher BMI, depression, and having health insurance were associated with higher cessation-related weight concern. Among females, addiction to smoking, greater cigarette consumption, importance to quit, older age of smoking initiation, and less support to quit were associated with higher cessation-related weight concern. Cessation-related weight concern was not associated with smoking cessation. Self-efficacy to refrain from smoking increased linearly over time with racial minorities experiencing greater increases. Confidence to quit increased until the midpoint of treatment but subsequently decreased. Blacks had higher confidence to quit than Whites. Smoking urges decreased until the midpoint of treatment but subsequently increased. Individuals with higher baseline self-efficacy to refrain from smoking were more likely to quit. Greater self-efficacy to refrain from smoking over time was observed among quitters compared to smokers. The findings from this dissertation can be used to inform future homeless-targeted cancer screening and smoking cessation efforts.