Breast cancer screening practices of African migrant women in Australia: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, globally. Breast cancer mortality can be improved through routine cancer screening, yet migrant populations have lower participation rates. While African migrants are among the fastest growing migrant population in Australia, their breast cancer screening behaviour is under-studied. The aims of this study were to report breast cancer screening status of African migrant women and factors associated with their breast cancer screening behaviour in Australia.MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional approach was utilised for this study. Two hundred and sixty four African migrant women aged 18–69 years and recruited from a number of organisations responded to a self-reported African version of the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (BCSBQ). Main research variables are breast cancer screening practices and demographic characteristics and total scores on each of the BCSBQ subscales. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the impact of the demographic variables on the likelihood of women in the target age range 50–74 years having screening practices as recommended.ResultsWhile most of the participants heard of breast awareness (76.1%) and mammogram (85.2%), only 11.4% practised monthly breast awareness, whereas 65.9% had ever had a mammogram as frequently as recommended. Age and employment were determining factors for participating in mammogram. Significant different scores were found in the “Practical barriers” between women at the target age who had and had not performed breast awareness (80.4 versus 77.5, p-value = 0.002) and mammogram (77.1 versus 70.3, p-value = 0.009) regularly as recommended. Moreover, attitudes towards general health check-ups subscale scores were significantly higher in women who had performed clinical breast examination as frequently as recommended than those who had not.ConclusionsThe research reveals that practical barriers and attitudes towards general health check-ups are important factors to take into account in determining African migrant women’s participation in breast cancer screening. Progress in reducing breast cancer deaths through early detection needs to focus on attitudinal change among African migrants.

Psychometric properties of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measurement among Chinese women: a cross-sectional study

“…However, a lack of breast cancer screening awareness, perceived risks, less concern about screening and perceived screening barriers may affect individuals’ screening practices 16–18. Women’s health awareness of cancer and cancer screening is the key factor affecting their screening behaviour 19.…”

Health Literacy Environment of Breast and Cervical Cancer among Black African Women Globally: A Systematic Review Protocol of Mixed Methods

“…In 2013, there were 15 million new cancer cases diagnosed, with breast cancer reported as one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among women globally. [1] The incidence of breast cancer over the years has been reported to be disproportionately higher among Black African women [2][3][4]. Additionally, Black African women are known to be at a greater risk for early-onset breast cancer globally, and are often diagnosed with more aggressive and advanced forms [5].…”

“…Additionally, Black African women are known to be at a greater risk for early-onset breast cancer globally, and are often diagnosed with more aggressive and advanced forms [5]. Despite this, evidence demonstrates lower participation rates in ethnic communities [6,7], including Black African women, in screening programs in both their home countries and countries of resettlement, with reported reasons comprising behavioral and cultural factors towards general health checkups [4,8,9]. Further, language barriers and unfamiliarity of the health care system and services preclude them from accessing services, [10,11] including screening for breast and cervical cancers [12][13][14].…”

Contributors of Mammography Screening with Zero-Inflated Count Regression Models by Bayesian Approach

“…In under-developed countries, the participation rate is almost the same as Iran: 75% of women over 40 in Turkey (37), 76.9% in Taiwan (38), 56% in Singapore (39), and 69.1% in Qatar (40) had no experience of mammography, and in Brazil 55.6% have not performed mammography in the past two years (41). On the other hand, the participation rate is higher in the developed countries: 85% of women aged 50-70 in Greece, 59.9% of Japanese women aged 40-70 (2), and 65.9% of African women aged 50-74 residing in Australia have performed mammography every two years and only 19% of them did not undergo mammograms (42). In the United States, immigrant women's participation in mammography varies based on different ethnic origins between 48.5% and 74.5% (43).…”