title: "Doctor, what do i have?" Knowledge of cancer diagnosis among immigrant/migrant minorities.
abstract: This study explores patient knowledge of cancer diagnosis among underserved immigrant/migrant minorities. Patients were recruited at a hospital-based cancer clinic in New York City. Demographic and self-reported diagnosis and treatment information were collected; charts were reviewed to ascertain cancer diagnosis. Four hundred thirty-four patients were included. Eighty-seven percent preferred to speak a language other than English in the health care setting. Sixteen percent had incorrect knowledge of their cancer diagnosis. Multivariate analysis indicated that both preference for a non-English language and diagnosis of a "below the belt" cancer were jointly predictive of incorrect knowledge (LR = 17.01; p = 0.0002). "Below the belt" cancers included bladder, colorectal, gynecological, penile, prostate, and testicular cancers. Among this cohort of immigrant/migrant cancer patients, a considerable proportion was unaware of their correct cancer diagnoses. This may have a significant impact on subsequent cancer education, treatment, and care. Limited-English-proficiency patients may be at particular risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gany
authors.forename: Lalanthica
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yogendran
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Massie
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Winkel
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003144:Communication Barriers; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D009519:New York City; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult