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[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

Cultural views, language ability, and regular mammography use in Chinese American women

Wenchi Liang, PhD1, Judy Wang, PhD1, Mei-Yuh Chen, MS1, Jeanne Mandelblatt, MD, MPH2, Shibao Feng, PhD3, and Bin Yi, MS3. (1) Cancer Control Program, Georgetown University, 2233 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20007, 202-687-8937, liangw1@georgetown.edu, (2) Cancer Control Program, Oncology, Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 317, Washington, DC 20007, (3) Cancer Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20007

BACKGROUND/PUPOSE: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and causes most of the cancer death among Chinese American women, who have low mammography screening rates. Physician recommendations and access barriers have been shown to affect mammography use. This study examined whether additional barriers, such as cultural views and English ability, influence regular mammography use in this mostly immigrant population. METHODS: A total of 335 Chinese American women aged 50 and older recruited from Chinese churches, senior centers, and organizations completed telephone interview. Cultural views were measured by a 9-item sum score about fatalism and a 2-item sum score about self-care. English ability was measured by a 4-item sum score assessing women°¦s ability to read, write, listen to, and speak English. Other measures included physician recommendation, family/friend encouragement, health insurance, access barrier, and perceived risk of and worry about getting breast cancer. Regular screeners were defined as having had two mammograms at age-appropriate intervals. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the associations between these factors and regular mammography use. RESULTS: Besides having health insurance and physician recommendation and expressing worry about getting breast cancer, women who reported a fatalistic view about health and cancer, had low English proficiency, and emphasized self-care over medical checkups were less likely to get regular mammography. IMPILICATIONS: Cultural views and language barrier contribute to Chinese women's failure to obtain regular mammograms. Health education programs and physicians should acknowledge and address Chinese women°¦s cultural barriers and provide adequate language assistance in order to improve their screening adherence.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Mammography Screening, Asian Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

Confronting Myths and Fears of Cancer in the Minority Belief Systems

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA