Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitude and Screening Behaviors of Hispanic Women in South Texas Border Counties

Recent reports reveal that from 2005 – 2008 only 61.2% of Latina women aged 40 years and older compared to 67.9% of White women received a mammogram in the previous two years (NCHS 2009). The present study examines the knowledge, attitudes and screening behaviors regarding breast cancer of Hispanic women from two South Texas Border Counties, Maverick and Val Verde Counties. We used Health Belief Model to analyze the effects of HBM constructs on clinical breast exam and mammogram screening. Using a multistage systematic sampling approach, we interviewed 1849 women from colonias of these South Texas Border Counties. Logistic regression analysis was used on two separate dependent variables in this study to predict screening behaviors. The two dependent variables are one each for clinical breast exam (CBE) and mammogram screening. The results indicate that variables such as breast cancer knowledge, perceived susceptibility, barriers and source of health information (positive cues to cancer screening) were statistically significant in predicting CBE among these women. In addition to these variables, background variables such as marital status and health insurance status were also significant in predicting CBE. Findings further indicate that the source of health information, barriers to screening, and health insurance status significantly predict mammogram screening behaviors. Results suggest that for women living in colonias along the South Texas Border Counties socio-demographic variables play a significant role in their CBE and mammogram screening.