Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103277

Suwattana Kumsuk, RN, MSN, School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, 3525 Caroline Street, St. Louis, MO 63125, (314) 645-0193, suwatana@slu.edu

Mortality rates from breast cancer, the leading cause of premature death in women, declined by 2.3 % between 1990 and 2000, but not among Asian-Americans. Mammograms reduce breast cancer mortality but Asian-Americans have the lowest use of mammograms when compared to others. Reducing this disparity requires understanding culture-specific influences on mammography use. This qualitative study describes beliefs about breast cancer and mammography screening among Thai-American women, a fast-growing subgroup of Asian Americans. Three focus groups were conducted with 19 Thai-American women recruited from temples and a restaurant in the Midwest. The results validate the Stages of Change and the Health Belief Model among Thai. Thai participant's stages of mammogram use ranged from pre-contemplation to maintenance. Beliefs about susceptibility to and seriousness of breast cancer were similar to non-Asian samples. Respondents perceived mammography use contributes to early detection and likelihood of cure. Distinctly Thai beliefs included that having a mammogram permanently flattens breasts, that “healthy” women do not need mammograms, and that breast cancer is a consequence of the past and therefore cannot be changed. Others mentioned exposure to American culture (acculturation) influenced obtaining mammograms. Some learned about screening for breast cancer from media and friends, but others stated a need for materials written in Thai. This preliminary study identifies potentially influential beliefs that may assist in developing culturally specific programs to increase the use of mammograms among Thai and reduce the disparity in breast cancer survival.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
• describe how focus groups were conducted in this study, guided by the Health Belief Model and Stages of Change. 2.describe beliefs about breast cancer and mammography screening among Thai-American women 3.identify cultural influences on Thai- American women’s adherence to mammography screening recommendations

Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening, Community-Based Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.