Breast cancer knowledge and mammography screening among Immigrant women in Southern California

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is common among women. Immigrant women are facing challenges to knowledge and services. Purpose: We examined factors associated with mammography screening among immigrant women in Southern California. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 517 immigrant women aged =>40 years. The outcome variables were the percentage of women who ever received a mammogram and those who received a mammogram last year. Independent variables were demographics, frequency of visits to provider, and scores of knowledge of BC symptoms and risk factors, and perceived benefits, health motivation and barriers to obtaining a mammogram. Results: of 517 women, 50% were Iranian, 28% had family history of BC, 63% had friend with BC, and 47% visited the provider yearly. Ever had mammogram was reported by 88% and 73% reported they had mammogram last year. Participants had low knowledge of BC symptoms (mean=7, SD=3.5, range=1-13) and risk factors (mean=8, SD=3.6, range=1-21). Women showed high health motivation (mean=4.4, SD=0.6, range=1-5) and low barriers (mean=2.4, SD=0.6, range=1-5). Predictors of ever had a mammogram were age, having a friend with BC, and having a high score of health motivation. Predictors of having a mammogram last year were having frequent visits to provider, higher score in knowledge of BC symptoms, and lower score of perceived barriers to obtaining mammogram. Conclusions: The findings indicated that provider may influence the BC screening among immigrant women. There is a need for a culturally sensitive educational intervention to enhance BC knowledge. Intervention can be provided through provider, social support, and family groups.