Attitudes Toward Cervical Cancer Screening Among Muslim Women: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Many Muslim women from immigrant backgrounds face challenges in obtaining adequate health care due to some common barriers of language, transportation, insurance, and family pressures. Additionally, many Muslim women resist screening practices that are the standard in the US but which threaten their cultural and religious values. Equally important, many health care professionals contribute to the women's challenges by making inappropriate recommendations regarding physical exams and reproductive health. The women were enthusiastic and candid in discussing these highly sensitive and taboo topics.

Knowledge, Behavior and Beliefs Related to Cervical Cancer and Screening Among Turkish Women

“…In contrast to their belief, the process of washing damages and destroys the flora of vagina and pre-Pap test washing affects the ability to take accurate results. As reported in our study and two other studies (Matin & LeBaron, 2004;Paskett et al, 2004;Wong et al, 2008;), religious and cultural factors create a barrier to the Pap test behaviors and cervical cancer screening. Matin and LeBaron (2004), examined the immigrant Muslim women's utilization of preventive health care against breast and cervical cancer and determined that these women's religious and cultural values, such as virginity and bodily privacy, play a preventive role in their reference to such health care.…”

“…The studies carried shown that social beliefs and values contribute to women's level of participation in screening for breast and cervical cancer and create a barrier to the Pap test behaviors and screening. (Matin & LeBaron, 2004;Paskett et al, 2004;Donnelly, 2006;Wong et al, 2008; ). When we examine the researches made on this issue in different regions and groups in Turkey, we come to realize that the number of these researches is limited and that they are related to the rate of women applying Pap smear (Özmen, 2004;Akyuz et al, 2006;Yucel, 2006).…”

Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among First-Generation Immigrant Muslim Women

“…[34][35][36][37][38] Considering that mammograms are not part of the routine screening process in public hospitals in their home countries and are usually recommended only as part of the diagnostic workup after a lump has been detected, raising awareness of the importance of routine and regular screening is vitally important. When designing breast cancer screening programs for immigrant Muslim women, our findings indicate that increasing both self-efficacy and intention to be screened is essential, as well as ensuring the provision of a primary healthcare provider.…”

“…In the United States, immigrant Muslim women represent a fastgrowing and understudied population whose healthcare behaviors and utilization of health services, including cancer screening, are influenced by religious and cultural beliefs. [34][35][36][37][38] There is a paucity of rigorous theory-based, descriptive, and intervention research on this population, and few studies have evaluated breast cancer incidence, stage, treatment, and mortality rates for Muslim women. Preliminary evidence suggests that Muslim women underutilize mammography.…”

Mexican Immigrant Male Knowledge and Support Toward Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

“…Data on cancer incidence, mortality, and health disparities among immigrants in the U.S. remain limited [4][5][6][7]. Immigrant minorities continue to experience disproportionately higher cancer incidence and mortality rates for many cancers [8,9].…”