Asian and Hispanic Americans' cancer fatalism and colon cancer screening.

OBJECTIVES: To explore fatalistic attributions of colon cancer development among Asian and Hispanic Americans in comparison with non-Hispanic whites; also to examine the impacts of fatalism on adherence to the colon cancer screening guideline. METHODS: For the analysis, the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey data were employed. RESULTS: Both Asian and Hispanic Americans were more likely to make fatalistic attribution and were less likely to follow the guideline than whites. Particularly for Asians, fatalism was a significant predictor for not adhering to the guideline. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the need for cultural interventions to disrupt fatalistic attitudes towards colon cancer preventions.