Asian-Islamic women and breast cancer screening: a socio-cultural analysis

Abstract

This article explores religious and socio-cultural issues relevant to breast cancer screening practices among older immigrant Asian-Islamic women in the U.S. Some of the Islamic tenets that facilitate breast cancer screening include cleanliness, prevention and individual responsibility in health promotion, diet and eating habits, and exercise, and those that hinder screening practice include gender and modesty considerations and patriarchal marital beliefs. Socio-cultural barriers include patient-physician communication and beliefs about cancer and cancer prevention. Recommendations to increase knowledge and practice of breast cancer screening within a religious and socio-cultural context are provided.