Correlates of recent and regular mammography screening among Asian-American women

Abstract

Title: Correlates of recent and regular mammography screening among Asian-American women.

Aim: This paper is a report of a study of the health beliefs, knowledge and selected demographic variables that influence mammography utilization among Asian-American women.

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in Asian-American women and its incidence is increasing at a greater rate than for other racial and ethnic groups in the United States of America (USA). Compared to White women, breast cancer also is more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage with larger tumours in Asian-Americans.

Method: A self-administered questionnaire was used with Asian-American women residing in the USA. Data were collected in 2005 and 315 women participated in the study.

Results: Fifty-five per cent of participants reported having their last mammogram within the past 13 months, and 33% reported having annual mammograms in each of the past 5 years. Based on multivariate logistic regression analyses, clinical breast examination, barriers and knowledge of recommendations of the frequency of mammography screening were associated with both recent and regular mammography practice after controlling for all other demographic, psychosocial and behavioural variables in the model.

Conclusion: Intervention strategies tailored to knowledge, language and cultural factors associated with mammography use should target at-risk subgroups, particularly those who are recent immigrants and those with limited English language ability. Culturally appropriate strategies should be developed to promote lifelong mammography screening for this rapidly growing and diverse population.