Examining breast cancer screening barriers among Central American and Mexican immigrant women: fatalistic beliefs or structural factors?
Researchers have examined "cancer fatalism" (the belief that cancer is predetermined, beyond individual control, and necessarily fatal) as a major barrier to breast cancer screening among Latinas. The authors examine perceptions of breast cancer, its causes, and experiences with screening among Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Mexican, and Bolivian immigrant women in Washington, DC. Two salient themes emerged: (a) perceptions of breast cancer causes and breast cancer screening; and (b) structural factors are the real barriers to breast cancer screening. Findings demonstrate participants' awareness and motivation to get screened and elucidate structural barriers that are obscured by the discourse of fatalism and hinder breast cancer screening.
a School of International Service and Center on Health, Risk, and Society , American University , Washington , DC , USA.
Maria
M
De Jesus
Eva B
EB
Miller
D000328:Adult; D001838:Bolivia / Q000208:ethnology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002489:Central America / Q000208:ethnology; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004219:District of Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010808:Physical Examination; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors