Heterogeneity in breast and cervical cancer screening practices among female Hispanic immigrants in the United States.
This study examined differences in cervical and breast cancer (CC and BC) screening among a heterogeneous group of Hispanic women. Data from 247 women (mean age = 38.7 ± 13.3) from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and countries throughout Central and South America regarding participation in Pap smears, mammography, clinical breast exam (CBE) and breast self-exams (BSE), CC and BC knowledge, and acculturation were analyzed. Differences in CBE and BSE screening behaviors were found based on country of origin (P < .01). However, after adjusting for the independent variables, only acculturation and knowledge remained significant correlates to BSE and CBE (P < .01). Dominican women had higher BC knowledge scores (P < .01) adhered most to BC screening guidelines. Heterogeneity in BC and CC screening was found among Hispanic sub-groups and suggests that health promotion programs should be tailored appropriately, particularly among recent immigrants.
Lawsin
Catalina
C
Department of Psychology, Baruch College, New York, NY 10010, USA. Catalina.Lawsin@Baruch.Cuny.Edu
Erwin
Deborah
D
Bursac
Zoran
Z
Jandorf
Lina
L
D001131:Arkansas; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009518:New York; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology