156181 Evaluation of breast cancer knowledge and barriers to screenings among women in Juárez, Mexico

Wednesday, November 7, 2007: 8:30 AM

Yelena Bird, MD, MPH , Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
John Moraros, MD, MPH, CHES , Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Sasha King, BS , Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
David Barney, MSW, MPH, PhD , School of Social Work, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Larry K. Olsen, DrPH, CHES , Department of Health Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Adriana Peña De La Cruz, BS , Las Cruces, NM
Surasri Prapasiri, BS , College of Health and Social Services, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Matthew Banegas, MS , Department of Health Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
     
Background: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies and causes of morbidity and mortality among women in Mexico. Mexican women living in the border region have an age-adjusted incidence rate for breast cancer that is two times higher than rates reported for the rest of Mexico (66.95 per 100,000).

Methods: This pilot study examined the views and experiences of 60 Spanish speaking women, ages 23-64, in Juarez, Mexico on the following areas of interest: awareness, knowledge, and barriers to health care affecting their breast cancer screening practices.

Findings: Lack of knowledge and understanding of health issues related to breast cancer were two crucial barriers to screening among this study population. An alarming 45% of the participants had heard “very little” or “nothing” with regard to breast cancer and 55.2% reported that their doctors “never explain” breast related health issues. Equally as disconcerting was the fact that although 66% of the participants thought a woman should have at least one mammogram every 12 months, less than 44% had ever had a mammogram. Additionally, 38% of the participants reported being completely uninformed by medical personnel and consequently, were unaware of the importance of breast screenings.

Conclusions: Women living on the US-Mexico border region suffer disproportionately higher mortality breast cancer rates than women in the interior of Mexico. This may be attributed in part to barriers that include but are not limited to their decreased awareness and lack of knowledge regarding breast related health care issues.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to describe the levels of awareness and knowledge of women in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico related to breast cancer. Participants will be able to explain potential barriers to breast cancer screening for Mexican women in Juárez, Mexico

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Barriers to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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