Breast self-examination among Chinese immigrant women.
The incidence of breast cancer is rising rapidly among the fast-growing demographic group of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). In this study, the authors assessed the awareness of breast self-exam (BSE) and factors predicting practice of BSE among Chinese immigrant women living in San Francisco. Three hundred and ninety-seven women participated in a telephone survey; 80.9% reported having heard of BSE but only 53.9% reported practice of BSE during the past year. Logistic regression modeling found that increased length of stay in the United States, higher income, socializing with more Chinese than non-Chinese, and a birthplace other than U.S. and Chinese communities predicted BSE practice. The findings indicate that although familiarity with BSE is high among this group of Chinese immigrant women, self-reported actual practice is far from optimal. This study points to the need for culturally appropriate interventions that will encourage and motivate immigrant Chinese women to practice BSE on a monthly basis.
Wong-Kim
Evaon
E
Department of Social Work, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542-3048, USA. evaon@csueastbay.edu
Wang
Caroline C
CC
D000328:Adult; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D012495:San Francisco