Breast cancer risk factor knowledge among Korean American women in New York City

Introduction In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among US women. There is a significant increase in incidence rates during 1998-2004 across time period in Asian American women (AAW). Especially, foreign-born Korean American women (KAW) had the largest increase in breast cancer incidence about 4% every year compare to other AAW but few studies addressing the extent of breast cancer knowledge within this community.

Methods A convenience sample of N=304 KAW were surveyed at community health fairs in NYC. The survey instrument consisted of demographic information and breast cancer risk factor knowledge. The descriptive analysis was conducted and additional analysis will be conducted to assess the association between selected demographic variables and breast cancer knowledge.

Results Approximately, 83% of the participants spoke English at or below average and 46% had lived in the US for less than 10 years. Overall, low score on breast cancer risk factor knowledge were reported. Only, 30% of the women (age 50 or older) identified that woman older than 50 were more susceptible in getting breast cancer. Conclusion Lack of acculturation such as language fluency and the length of US stay may have influenced their knowledge gaps on breast cancer. There is a need to develop an educational program for this subgroup of AAW to increase knowledge on breast cancer. Further study should be conducted on what is the most effective and appropriate type of education based on their cultural and linguistic needs.