title: Predicting breast and colon cancer screening among English-as-a-second-language older Chinese immigrant women to Canada.
abstract: Little is known about the cancer screening behaviors of older ESL Chinese immigrant women. To explore predictors of colon and breast cancer screening in this population, 103 Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking immigrant women ages 50 years and older were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires to evaluate screening behaviors, health literacy, and demographic characteristics. Eighty-five percent self-reported that they were current breast cancer screeners, and 75% were current colon cancer screeners. Recommendation from a physician, having a female physician, and high or moderate proficiency in English predicted current mammography screening. Physician recommendation, first language, and self-efficacy predicted use of colon cancer screening. Bivariate analyses also revealed an association between use of colon cancer screening and greater health literacy and longer residency in Canada. Important predictors of screening emerged that potentially informs interventions to increase cancer prevention among older Chinese immigrants. The essential role of physician recommendation was identified for both breast and colon cancer screening.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoffman-Goetz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002170:Canada; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003144:Communication Barriers; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019303:Multilingualism; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations