Background. Breast cancer is a major public health issue and the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women worldwide. Despite lower incidence rates than those living in Western countries, breast cancer incidence among Chinese women has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of studies reporting the attitudes toward and practices of breast cancer screening among Chinese women. Methods. This cross-sectional study examined the practices, knowledge, and attitudes toward breast cancer screening (BCS) on a convenience sample of 400 Chinese women. Results. Among study participants, 75% of the women never had a mammogram and the top three barriers reported were low priority, feeling OK, and lack of awareness/knowledge toward breast cancer screening. The results from the logistic regression model showed increased self-efficacy; having performed monthly self-exams, and having had clinical breast exams in the past two years were significant correlates while demographic variables were not correlated with screening behaviors. Conclusion. The findings provide a foundation to better understand beliefs and practices of Chinese women toward BCS and highlight the critical need for general public, health professionals, and the health care system to work collaboratively toward improving the quality of breast cancer care in this population.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Asian Indians are the largest Asian subgroup in the state of Michigan; however, data on the prevalence and correlates of cardiovascular disease for this group is limited. The sample consisted of 273 Asian Indians (AI) recruited through health fairs for surveys and blood tests throughout the state of Michigan. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes (20.1%) and elevated/abnormal glycated hemoglobin A1C levels (22.6%) exceeds the percentages of other ethnic groups reported in 2006-2008 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. More than half of respondents had elevated body max index. The gender disparity in hypertension prevalence (50% for males vs. 19.3% for females) has not been observed in other similar studies and prevalence of male participants with hypertension also is higher than reported in other studies. In the multivariate analysis after adjusting demographic and access to health care factors, the results showed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases among AI female participants but not among AI males. The data highlight the need for developing culturally-tailored interventions to effectively reduce multiple risk factors in this group.