Korean American women's beliefs about breast and cervical cancer and associated symbolic meanings.
OBJECTIVE
To explore Korean American women's symbolic meanings related to their breasts and cervix, to examine attitudes and beliefs about breast and cervical cancer, and to find relationships between the participants' beliefs and their cancer screening behaviors.


METHODS
Descriptive, qualitative analysis.


METHODS
Southwestern United States.


METHODS
33 Korean-born women at least 40 years of age.


METHODS
In-depth, face-to-face, individual interviews were conducted in Korean. A semistructured interview guide was used to ensure comparable core content across all interviews. Transcribed and translated interviews were analyzed using descriptive content analysis.


METHODS
Breast cancer, cervical cancer, cancer screening, beliefs, and Korean American women.


RESULTS
Korean American women's symbolic meaning of their breasts and cervix are closely related to their past experiences of bearing and rearing children. Negative life experiences among older Korean American women contributed to negative perceptions about cervical cancer. Having information about cancer, either correct or incorrect, and having faith in God or destiny may be barriers to obtaining screening tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Korean American women's symbolic meanings regarding their breasts and cervix, as well as their beliefs about breast cancer and cervical cancer and cancer screening, are associated with their cultural and interpersonal contexts. Their beliefs or limited knowledge appear to relate to their screening behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions that carefully address Korean American women's beliefs about breast cancer and cervical cancer as well as associated symbolic meanings may increase their cancer screening behaviors. Clinicians should consider Korean American women's culture-specific beliefs and representations as well as their life experiences in providing care for the population.
Lee
Eunice E
EE
Department of Public Health, Mental Health, and Administrative Nursing, Chicago College of Nursing, The University of Illinois, IL, USA. eclee@uic.edu
Tripp-Reimer
Toni
T
Miller
Arlene M
AM
Sadler
Georgia R
GR
Lee
Shin-Young
SY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian; D001828:Body Image; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002140:California; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013561:Symbolism; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology