Mexican American Women in a Rural Area and Barriers to Their Ability to Enact Protective Behaviors Against Breast Cancer

Abstract

Mexican American women in rural areas have less chance of surviving breast cancer than women in other ethnic populations (Boughton, 2000; Herman, 1996). This research sought to determine why such women do or do not enact behaviors to help them protect themselves from breast cancer. The extended parallel process model (Witte, 1994) provided a guiding theoretical basis for understanding perceptions, and 48 women, in discussion groups and surveys, were asked about self-exams, physician exams, and mammograms. Findings demonstrated that the women had high perceived self-efficacy and susceptibility regarding breast cancer but did not perceive it as severe (i.e., that it could cause death). These perceptions were positively and negatively related to behaviors that protect against breast cancer. Also, several barriers, such as lack of transportation, lack of access to health care, and lack of knowledge regarding breast self-exams, were found.

The Impact of Family History of Breast Cancer on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Early Detection Practices of Mexican Women Along the Mexico-US Border

“…Several well-established risk factors have been shown to be associated with screening practices among Mexican women and women of Mexican descent residing in the US, including socioeconomic status, demographic factors, health behaviors, as well as cultural and psychosocial factors [8–12]. However, relatively little, if any, research has examined the association between family history (FH) of breast cancer and screening practices in Mexican women.…”

Screening for diabetes in dental settings

“…also consider threats as a means to behaviour change, EPPM is a particularly sound model to use in screening studies. For example, previous studies have examined the EPPM in relation to early detection behaviours such as testicular self-exam (Morman, 2000), mammography (Hubbell, 2006), skin cancer screening, and sun protective behaviours (Cho & Salmon, 2006). These previous studies suggest that the approach of promoting high threat and high efficacy may be effective in public health campaigns.…”

What Is the Truth? An Application of the Extended Parallel Process Model to Televised Truth® Ads

“…The EPPM has been examined in a variety of health contexts, such as messages regarding HIV/AIDS (e.g., Witte, 1994Witte, , 1998Witte & Morrison, 2000), meningitis (Gore & Bracken, 2005), cardiovascular disease (Rimal, 2001), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy (e.g., Roberto, Zimmerman, Carlyle, & Abner, 2007), hearing loss for coal miners (Murray-Johnson et al, 2004), and various cancers (Hubbell, 2006;Kline & Mattson, 2000;Morman, 2000;Stephenson & Witte, 1998). Additionally, the EPPM has been used as a framework for other preventative behaviors including gun safety (Roberto, Meyer, Johnson, & Atkin, 2000) and self-defense (Morrison, 2005).…”