Barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening among underserved Asian American women

The incidence of breast and cervical cancer among ethnic-specific sub-populations of Asian American women (AAW) has increased compared to other minority populations. This alarming trend has been obscured by the lower rate derived from the aggregation of AAW subgroups. Low breast and cervical cancer screening rates among AAW reflects a need to identify barriers that contribute to this disparity. The Asian Women Advocate for Reproductive Health Equality (AWARE) Program conducted a reproductive health survey and focus groups which aimed to identify the barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening among AAAW in an underserved area of Chicago. The survey (N=157) and focus groups (N=22) were conducted at local community centers frequented by AAW. Of the women at the recommended age for breast cancer screening, 86% of women surveyed reported knowledge of breast cancer and mammogram, while only 37% had actually been screened (p<0.001). Of the women at the recommended age for cervical cancer screening, 46% of women surveyed reported knowledge of cervical cancer and Pap smear, while only 33% had actually been screened (p<0.001). The focus groups revealed cultural barriers related to self-efficacy (e.g. fear and embarrassment of screening performed by male clinicians), economic barriers (e.g. cost), and perceived susceptibility (e.g. belief that screening is only for married women) are significant barriers to screening. The authors conclude that there is a need for community programs like AWARE to focus on improving accessibility to culturally acceptable health screening services for AAW.