Differences in breast and cervical cancer screening utilization between Mexican-born and U.S-born Hispanic Women that reside near the U.S.-Mexico border

Objective: To assess differences between predisposing, enabling, and needs variables that influence breast and cervical cancer screening among older Mexican-born and U.S.-born Hispanic women living along the U.S.-Mexico border. Methods: A cross-sectional study of women age 50 or older (n = 504) residing in Yuma County, AZ were randomly selected for interviews. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify determinants of compliance with mammography and Pap smear utilization. Results: Mexican-born Hispanic women who received a recommendation from a clinician to get both mammography and Pap smears were more likely to receive a mammogram within the past one year (odds ratio [OR]=4.6; 95%CI=2.7-7.8) compared to Mexican-born Hispanic women who received no recommendation. U.S.-born Hispanic Women who received a recommendation from a clinician to get both mammography and Pap smears were more likely to receive a mammogram within the past one year (odds ratio [OR]=7.2; 95%CI=1.9-27.4) compared to U.S.-born Hispanic women who received no recommendation. Other enabling variables such as current health insurance and any visits with health care provider in the past one year were also associated with getting a mammogram and Pap smear within the past one year. Being bicultural or highly acculturated was also associated with a greater screening compliance among U.S.-born Hispanic women. Conclusion: Enabling characteristics were significantly associated with breast and cervical cancer screening utilization for U.S.-born Hispanic women and Mexican-born Hispanic women, with a stronger measure of effect among U.S.-born Hispanic women. Acculturation level appears to be a significant factor in predicting screening utilization. Clinician recommendations of both mammograms and Pap smears and opportunistic screening at visits to medical providers may increase breast and cervical cancer screening coverage and reduce the burden of these two cancers in these high-risk populations.