Misconceptions and mammography use among Filipino-and Korean-American women

Abstract

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 218 Filipino and 229 Korean women residing in Los Angeles County. This paper describes the women's knowledge and misconceptions regarding breast cancer risk factors, their utilization of traditional and westernized preventive health care, and the relationship of these variables to mammography utilization. Sixty-six percent of Filipino women and 49% of Korean women ever had a mammogram. Both Filipino- and Korean-American women share many of the same misconceptions about breast cancer risk factors. More instructive, however, is that these beliefs do not affect mammography utilization. Acculturation and modesty were associated with mammography utilization in both groups. Use of traditional medicine was negatively related and use of westernized preventive health care was positively related to mammography screening only among Filipino women. Practicing health care professionals should use these findings as they develop culturally sensitive breast cancer control programs.