4139.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 12:42 PM

Abstract #2402

Improving breast cancer screening among low-income, multi-ethnic populations

Regina Otero-Sabogal, PhD1, Patrick J. Fox, PhD, MSW2, Priscilla Ryder, MPH2, Pamela Arnsberger, PhD2, and Eugene Takahashi, PhD3. (1) Institute for Health & Aging, University of California, San Francisco and the Northern California Cancer Center, 3333 California Street, Room 340, Box 0646, San Francisco, CA 94143-0646, 415-476-3311, reginas@itsa.ucsf.edu, (2) Institute for Health & Aging, University of California, San Francisco, (3) California Department of Health Services

The Breast Cancer Evaluation Study identified client and site related factors predictive of rescreening among women served by the California Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) and the Breast Cancer Detection Program (BCEDP), two no-cost cancer screening programs available to low-income women. A questionnaire measuring clients' barriers and facilitators to cancer screening, screening practices, exposure to program services, and program satisfaction was administered by telephone to 1199 women, 50 years of age and over, who had a normal breast screening result in 1996. The questionnaire was available in five languages. Chi-square test and multiple regression analyses were performed. Discussion of results will focus on client-related factors. Ethnic differences regarding sources of information, reasons for obtaining screening services, and screening barriers will be discussed. Results indicate that women who intend to rescreen through the program were more likely to lack health insurance, have less than a high school education, to have been interviewed in a language other than English, and were found to be more satisfied with program services. Adherent women were more likely to live longer in the U.S., have some high school education, and to report intention to have a mammogram in the future. This study's findings can provide important insight into Latinas' and other low-income women's screening practices and assist in improving no-cost cancer screening programs.

Learning Objectives: Members of the audience will: 1. Understand the facilitators and barriers to obtaining no-cost preventive screening service for low-income Latina, Filipina, Chinese, and African American women. 2. Relate the findings presented to health policies and improve cancer screening outreach methods targeted to the U.S.'s growing immigrant populations

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Department of Health Services, Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (BCCCP), Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (BCEDP), The University of California, San Francisco
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA