Socio-demographic factors associated with scheduling and attending cervical and breast cancer screenings among Latina immigrants

Background: Latina immigrants in the US have low frequencies of cervical and breast cancer screenings, which is often attributed to structural barriers to care. We sought to determine whether women attending an outreach event to facilitate access to cancer screening would schedule and attend screening appointments. Methods: From 2003-2009 lay health promoters in Alabama organized annual educational luncheons to promote cervical/breast cancer screening to Latinas. Women who attended were able to schedule appointments for low-cost Pap smears and free mammograms in local clinics.

Results: Over a 6 year period, 961 Latinas attended at least one event. Overall, 78% of women scheduled a Pap smear and, among women age 40 or over, 76% scheduled a mammogram. After multivariable adjustment, women who were less than 40 years of age, had insurance, and had a Pap smear in the past 2 to 3 years were more likely not to schedule a Pap smear (all p<0.05). Women with insurance and who had never had a mammogram or had one more than one year before the event were more likely not to schedule a mammogram (all p<0.05). Among those who scheduled screenings, 70% attended their Pap smear appointment and 83% attended their mammogram; there were no significant differences between those who did and did not attend.

Discussion: Even after reducing structural barriers for cervical/breast cancer screening, some Latina women do not schedule recommended screenings, especially mammograms. More research is needed to identify what factors prevent Latinas most likely to benefit from screenings from scheduling appointments.