Primary care cancer and diabetes complications screening of black women with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency with which Black women with type 2 diabetes receive routine primary health care screening for cancer and diabetes complications.


METHODS
Pilot study data from a convenience sample of 21 Black women (mean age 46.8 years) with type 2 diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer screening consisted of Pap smear, mammography, and colon cancer screening consistent with current American Cancer Society recommendations. Ninety percent reported having had a Pap smear, 86% mammogram and 33% colon cancer screening. Diabetes complications screening was based on the American Diabetes Association care recommendations. Fifty-five percent received screening eye exams, 40% were screened for renal proteinuria, and 50% received foot examinations and diabetes foot care instruction.


CONCLUSIONS
This sample of mid-life, Black, educated, working women with type 2 diabetes utilize healthcare services and have high rates of primary care cancer screening. Rates of diabetes complications screening are less than optimal. Because Black American women suffer disproportionately high rates of diabetes and related complications, it is imperative that they receive quality diabetes care in an effort to improve health outcomes and decrease premature mortality.
Melkus
Gail D'Eramo
GD
Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA. Gail.Melkus@Yale.edu
Maillet
Nancy
N
Novak
Jennifer
J
Womack
Julie
J
Hatch-Clein
Annette
A
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors