Correspondence to: Lina Jandorf, lina.jandorf@mssm.edu. NIH Public Access

Few studies have examined barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Hispanics, particularly sociocultural factors that may be relevant. This paper examines the influence of sociocultural factors on adherence to fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and colonoscopy. A survey was conducted among a sample of 400 low-income Hispanics in East Harlem, New York. Fatalism and health literacy were both significantly associated with colonoscopy screening adherence in bivariate models, though fatalism became non-significant and health literacy became less significant in multivariable models. With respect to adherence to colonoscopy or FOBT, both fatalism and health literacy were associated in bivariate models, though only fatalism remained significant in multivariable models (p=.03; OR: .94; 95% CI: .881–.992). These findings suggest fatalism and health literacy may play a role in shaping CRC screening adherence among low-income Hispanics. Researchers should continue investigating how sociocultural factors influence screening adherence among Hispanics, using larger and more geographically diverse samples.

The present analysis sought to determine the usefulness and validity of the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH) in assessment of acculturation among Hispanics participating in a colorectal cancer screening study. Primary data was collected from 2008 to 2009 through surveys in East Harlem community-based sites and health clinics among Hispanics. Bivariate correlations and independent samples t tests assessed SASH correlation with acculturation proxies and relationships between proxies, SASH, and sociodemographics. SASH was highly correlated with commonly used acculturation proxies; inter-scale correlations and alpha scores were high. Sociodemographics associated with proxy variables were associated with SASH. In conclusion, SASH is useful and valid for assessing acculturation among Hispanics; however, a shortened version or acculturation proxy variables could also be utilized.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among Latinas in the United States. In addition, Latinas experience a disproportionate burden of cervical cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality compared with non-Hispanic White women. Lower use of breast and cervical cancer screening services may contribute to these disparities. To address the underutilization of breast and cervical cancer screening among diverse subgroups of Latinas, a peer-led education program called Esperanza y Vida (“Hope and Life”) was developed and administered at 3 sites (2 in New York and 1 in Arkansas). Immigrant Latina women and their partners were educated about the importance of breast and cervical cancer screening, with the goals of increasing their knowledge about these cancers and their screening behavior. An analysis of the intervention’s findings at baseline among female participants demonstrated significant sociodemographic, interpersonal, cultural, health care system, and program variability in 3 distinct geographic regions in the United States. These data indicate the need for and feasibility of customizing cancer outreach and educational programs for diverse Latina subgroups living in various U.S. regions, with implications for informing the expansion and replication of the program in other regions of the country.

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