Barriers to cancer screening among Orthodox Jewish women.
The increased risk of genetic cancer mutations for Ashkenazi Jews is well known. However, little is known about the cancer-related health behaviors of a subset of Ashkenazi Jews, Orthodox Jews, who are a very religious and insular group. This study partnered with Rabbinical leadership and community members in an Orthodox Jewish community to investigate barriers to cancer screening in this community. Orthodox Jewish women were recruited to participate in focus groups designed to elicit their perspectives on barriers to cancer screening. A total of five focus groups were conducted, consisting of 3-5 members per group, stratified by age and family history of cancer. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded using conventional content analysis. The resulting themes identified as barriers to cancer screening were: preservation of hidden miracles, fate, cost, competing priorities, lack of culturally relevant programming, lack of information, and fear. These results provide a unique perspective on barriers to cancer screening in a high risk but understudied population. Findings from this study may serve to inform culturally appropriate cancer education programs to overcome barriers to screening in this and other similar communities.
Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, MM03BF, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA, tkatchr@karmanos.org.
Rifky
R
Tkatch
Janella
J
Hudson
Anne
A
Katz
Lisa
L
Berry-Bobovski
Jennifer
J
Vichich
Susan
S
Eggly
Louis A
LA
Penner
Terrance L
TL
Albrecht
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007585:Jews; D008824:Michigan; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D014505:Urban Population