Correlates of Cancer Screening Recommendation Occurence by Primary Care Physicians Serving Asians

Primary care physicians play a critical role in increasing the cancer screening behavior of their patients. Asians, one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States, experience disproportionate incidence and mortality rates of certain cancers, compared to other racial/ethnic groups. This study examined the correlates of screening recommendation occurrence by cancer type among physicians serving Asians. Specific variables were assessed from the physician perspective in the following conceptual areas as it relates to cancer screening recommendations: physician relevance, personal responsibility, relevance to patient, physician barriers, patient barriers, and source (physician) credibility. A total of 100 primary care physicians practicing in densely populated Asian communities in New Jersey and New York City completed a 30-item survey on medical practice characteristics, Asian patient communication on screenings, screening guidelines, Asian cancer risk, and demographics. Statistical models indicated the following significant relationships (p<.05) for occurrence of cancer screening recommendations (by cancer type): following organizational screening guidelines (colorectal and prostate cancer), suggesting ways to help the patient with getting screening (cervical cancer), and physician perceived ability to deal with barriers (stomach and colorectal cancer). These results provide additional insight into factors affecting the occurrence of cancer screening recommendations and present future intervention research opportunities to increase cancer screening recommendations made by physicians. Additional findings will be presented on screening recommendation occurrence by other cancer types, physician perceived cancer screening barriers, and physician perceived cancer risk among Asians.