From March to April 1999, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) conducted telephone interviews with representatives of four Asian health organizations, as well as eight focus groups with Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese women ages 40 or older who primarily spoke in their native language. Objectives of this research were to understand why Asian women do or do not seek mammograms and to elicit reactions to draft posters and bookmarks. The findings show that many Asian women ages 40 or older prefer to communicate in their native language when discussing health issues of a technical nature. For this reason, they often rely on low-cost or free print materials for health information, particularly when they lack access to a same-ethnicity physician who speaks their native tongue, or someone who can translate for them with an English-speaking physician. This research also reveals that while many Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese women believe that breast cancer is an important health problem, many are not well informed about this topic and want basic information. Reactions to draft print materials highlight the importance of translating information using appropriate terminology and grammatically correct language, of using images that directly pertain to breast cancer or mammography screening rather than every day images, and of portraying Asian women in appropriate clothing. These findings are being used to revise the content and creative design of Asian posters and bookmarks for NCI's national Breast Cancer Education Program, and to plan for future directions of the program.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe the broad health-related issues facing Asian women who have immigrated to America and primarily speak their native language. 2) Recognize the importance of providing informational materials to Asian women that are culturally appropriate. 3) Gain a better understanding of the value of pretesting educational materials with members of the intended audience, not just intermediaries
Keywords: Asian Women, Breast Cancer Programs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.