title: Urban black women's perceptions of breast cancer and mammography.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in perceptions of breast cancer and mammography between black women who wanted a mammogram and those who did not. The subjects were 186 low socioeconomic black women who attended an inner city community health clinic (83% response rate). There were no significant differences on the demographic and background variables between women who did (N = 139) and did not (N = 47) want a mammogram. The knowledge level of both groups regarding breast cancer was poor. Those who desired a mammogram perceived themselves as more susceptible to breast cancer, and considered breast cancer more severe than those who did not want a mammogram. Neither group identified many barriers to obtaining a mammogram. The majority (at least 88 percent of those who wanted a mammogram and at least 55 percent of those who did not) agreed with each of the five benefit items. Eighty-five percent of both groups agreed they would receive a mammogram if their physician told them to do so. The two Health Belief Model components which accounted for the largest percentage of the variance between women who wanted a mammogram and those who did not were perceived benefits (13 percent) and perceived susceptibility (3 percent).
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, University of Toledo, OH 43606.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Desmond
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Slenker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires