Mammography screening and pacific islanders: role of cultural and psychosocial factors

Abstract

Samoan women need specifically tailored breast cancer education which incorporates cultural and psychosocial factors important for behavior change.

Social Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening in Urban Primary Care Practices: A Community-Engaged Formative Study

“…Despite significant advances in cancer treatment and management, participants demonstrated gaps in understanding of the disease and misgivings about screening and treatment. These misgivings are translated into fatalistic beliefs and unexplained fear about the disease (Blackman & Masi, 2006;Chavez, Hubbell, McMullin, Martinez, & Mishra, 1995;Mishra, Aoelua, & Hubbell, 2000;Mishra, Bastani, Huang, Luce, & Baquet, 2007).…”

Results of a Randomized Trial to Increase Mammogram Usage among Samoan Women

“…In addition, in regional surveys, 42% of Samoan women 40 years and older had never heard about mammography (4). For Samoan women, important predictors for obtaining a mammogram include access to care (4), knowledge about risk factors (9) and screening guidelines (4), psychosocial factors (9), and culture-specific beliefs (9). For Samoans, culture-specific beliefs may also influence their health care use patterns; as such, beliefs about disease etiology and treatment are associated with their use of indigenous healers (10).…”

Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

“…16 Another study of Samoan women, a subgroup of PIs, found that 58.7% had never had a mammogram. 17 Moreover, only 22.4% of Samoan women residing in Hawaii and 24.4% in Los Angeles had a mammogram in the preceding year. 17 In studies of AAs, the identified factors that relate to low screening rates were similar to those in the general population, including low education, 18 low income, [19][20][21] and old age.…”

“…17 Moreover, only 22.4% of Samoan women residing in Hawaii and 24.4% in Los Angeles had a mammogram in the preceding year. 17 In studies of AAs, the identified factors that relate to low screening rates were similar to those in the general population, including low education, 18 low income, [19][20][21] and old age. 15,22,23 Other factors mentioned that could lead to low screening rates with this population included health insurance status, 2,24-26 access to a regular doctor, 27 regular check-ups, 18,28 and marital status.…”