Assessing breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and misconceptions among Latinas in Houston, Texas.
BACKGROUND
Limited breast cancer knowledge and beliefs, risk factors, screening procedures, and cultural barriers may keep Latinas from seeking health care.


METHODS
We examined the breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and misconceptions of 63 Latinas residing in Houston, Texas.


RESULTS
More than a third of participants held a negative or fatalistic view of breast cancer, 29% believed pain was a warning sign for the disease, and 11.1% had never heard of breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate this population holds many misconceptions about breast cancer, which may have a negative impact on preventive behaviors on this minority population.
Schettino
María R
MR
Center for Research on Minority Health, Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Hernández-Valero
María A
MA
Moguel
Rocío
R
Hajek
Richard A
RA
Jones
Lovell A
LA
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology