Breast cancer screening behaviors and attitudes in three racial/ethnic groups

Abstract

Data from a multiethnic sample of women participating in the American Cancer Society 1987 Texas Breast Screening Project was used to compare attitudes and behaviors related to breast cancer screening for whites, blacks, and Hispanics. In general, similar patterns of association were observed across racial/ethnic groups between a number of demographic and risk factors and prior mammography and recent clinical breast examination (CBE), although the magnitude of the associations varied somewhat across groups. Reasons for not having had prior mammography also were similar across groups, with lack of physician referral and cost cited as the two most important reasons. However, Hispanics were less likely than blacks or whites to report prior breast cancer screening, including mammography, CBE, and breast self‐examination (BSE). This study demonstrated that women of different racial/ethnic backgrounds can be successfully recruited to participate in a patient‐initiated, community‐based program. However, this programmatic approach requires augmentation with other intervention strategies designed to reach low‐income women because women with more years of education and higher family income were overrepresented in all three groups.

Structure and Meaning in Models of Breast and Cervical Cancer Risk Factors: A Comparison of Perceptions among Latinas, Anglo Women, and Physicians

“…Latinas, however, often face obstacles to care, such as lack of medical insurance, low incomes, language differences, and lack of knowledge about available services (Hubbell et al 1991). As a result of such obstacles, Latinas may delay seeking care for a breast problem, which in turn leads to poor outcomes, including large tumors at diagnosis, high rates of multiple primary breast cancer, and relatively high mortality rates (Bastani et al 1991;Richardson, Langholz et al 1992;Richardson, Mars et al 1987;Vernon, Tilley et al 1985;Vernon, Vogel et a]. 1992).…”

Breast cancer size and stage in Hispanic American women, by birthplace: 1992-1995

“…10,11,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Low use of breast cancer screening has been associated with a number of socioeconomic factors, 6,34-36 many of which are more prevalent in the Hispanic population, including lower educational status, lower household income, and lack of health insurance coverage. 1,3,11,26,30,[37][38][39] A higher percentage of Hispanic women than non-Hispanic women have also reported unfamiliarity with breast cancer screening methods or screening guidelines.…”

Age, Health Beliefs and Breast Cancer Screening Program Participation in Valencian Community, Spain

“…Sin embargo, y concretamente sobre el papel del médico, hay que señalar que, cuando considerábamos la muestra total de nuestro estudio sin establecer subgrupos de edad, el médico era el único factor de influencia social que no se asociaba con la asistencia al programa de cribado (Andreu, Galdón, Durá y Tuells, en preparación), contrariamente a lo señalado por la bibliografía 39,[67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74] . Este resultado se ha visto matizado en el presente trabajo y así, al considerar subgrupos de edad, los resultados señalan que la presión percibida por parte del médico para realizarse mamografías es un factor importante para la asistencia a programas de cribado sólo en el caso de las mujeres más jóvenes (menos de 50 años), precisamente en aquellas para las que no existe un claro consenso en las pautas de screening recomendadas [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] y en las que, seguramente, es más habitual la realización de revisiones ginecológicas regulares; siendo que son los ginecólogos los médicos más predispuestos a recomendar la mamografía a sus pacientes 74,75 .…”