Background. Early detection and immediate follow‐up treatment for cancer of the breast and cervix can reduce morbidity and mortality. This report describes adherence to follow‐up appointments for suspected breast and cervical malignancies in a population of low‐income black women who participated in a community‐based nurse‐managed screening program.
Methods. Components of the program that were part of the intervention included the following: a consistent referral mechanism augmented by a computerized tickler system; education of women about the importance of follow‐up; and active nurse assistance in the follow‐up process. Referral for follow‐up of suspected malignancies or for other questionable findings was made to the public sector hospital clinics (86%) or to other providers of the women's choice (14%).
Results. Follow‐up rates for suspected malignancies of the breast were high (92%) in this population of women, sometimes described as less likely to adhere to recommendations for continued care. In contrast, adherence rates for gynecologic conditions were lower (70%).
Conclusions. This screening program and follow‐up system has relevance to systems that serve similar groups of low‐income women.
Survey data indicate that young Black female smokers living in public housing are heavier smokers and have weaker motivation to quit, health beliefs and social environment less conducive to cessation, and less knowledge of where to get help to quit than other young Black female smokers in metropolitan Chicago. Compared with White women, the latter, other Black women smoke fewer cigarettes daily and have a stronger desire to quit and more concern about health reasons for quitting, but have a weaker belief in the risk of lung cancer from smoking, greater concern about quitting difficulties, and less knowledge of where to get help to quit. Low education, not race, is associated with higher smoking prevalence and less social pressure to quit or support for quitting.
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