Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Korean American Immigrant Women

Abstract

This study examined the utilization of clinical breast examinations (CBEs) and mammograms among Korean American immigrant women and investigated how the six constructs of Health Belief Model (HBM) are associated with the receipt of breast cancer screening. Using a quota sampling strategy, 202 Korean American immigrant women were recruited in metropolitan areas in the northeastern United States. Approximately 64% of the participants reported having had at least one CBE in their lifetime, and about 81% of the sample had undergone at least one mammogram in their lifetime. Women who perceived themselves to be susceptible to breast cancer were more likely to have undergone a CBE, and women who had lower barriers to screening or demonstrated a higher level of confidence were more likely than their counterparts to undergo a mammogram. Findings suggest that HBM constructs such as susceptibility, barriers, and confidence should be considered when designing interventions aimed at promoting breast cancer screening.

Breast cancer literacy and health beliefs related to breast cancer screening among American Indian women

“…Older age was a determinant of CBE and mammogram (as age increased, so did likelihood of receiving a CBE and mammogram), which is commensurate with other research (American Cancer Society, 2016). Finally, being divorced or widowed increased likelihood of receiving a CBE and mammogram, which contrasts extant research that indicates being married tends to be associated with a higher likelihood of lifetime CBE (Lee et al, 2015). It may be that people who are divorced are more likely to be older in age than those who are married, mediating the relationship, rather than divorce itself being directly related to receipt of CBE or mammogram.…”

“…It has been used across mainstream and ethnic minority populations to examine beliefs about breast cancer screening behaviors, such as receipt of a CBE and a mammography (Koh et al, 2015; Wu & Ronis, 2009; Wu, West, Chen, & Hergert, 2006). The HBM assesses people’s perceptions about the relative benefits (e.g., breast cancer screening are effective preventative measures) to the barriers (e.g., it takes too much time, I don’t have transportation, and it is too costly to receive breast cancer screenings) of receiving preventive health services (Koh et al, 2015; Lee, Stange,& Ahluwalia, 2015; Wu & Ronis, 2009; Wu et al, 2006). Other salient beliefs about breast cancer may include susceptibility to the disease (e.g., having a family history of breast cancer) and severity (e.g., belief that breast cancer can be lethal), along with motivation (e.g., wanting to live a healthy lifestyle) and confidence in one’s ability to overcome perceived barriers are thought to influence whether someone is likely to engage in preventive health behaviors (Koh et al, 2015; Lee et al, 2015; Wu & Ronis, 2009; Wu et al, 2006).…”

“…The HBM assesses people’s perceptions about the relative benefits (e.g., breast cancer screening are effective preventative measures) to the barriers (e.g., it takes too much time, I don’t have transportation, and it is too costly to receive breast cancer screenings) of receiving preventive health services (Koh et al, 2015; Lee, Stange,& Ahluwalia, 2015; Wu & Ronis, 2009; Wu et al, 2006). Other salient beliefs about breast cancer may include susceptibility to the disease (e.g., having a family history of breast cancer) and severity (e.g., belief that breast cancer can be lethal), along with motivation (e.g., wanting to live a healthy lifestyle) and confidence in one’s ability to overcome perceived barriers are thought to influence whether someone is likely to engage in preventive health behaviors (Koh et al, 2015; Lee et al, 2015; Wu & Ronis, 2009; Wu et al, 2006). Among AIs, a study on perceived barriers to breast cancer screening were identified in a study of 255 AI women in Oklahoma, which found that barriers (i.e., long wait-times and complex referral processes) predicted the receipt of mammography in the past two years (Tolma, Stoner, Li, Kim, &Engelman, 2014).…”

Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of routine breast cancer screening practices among migrant‐Australian women

“…A similar pattern was observed for English proficiency 21,22 . Limited English proficiency among migrants in Western countries has been consistently identified as a major barrier to BCS 14,23,24 …”

“…Similarly, in the US, the prevalence of ever having a mammogram is lower among Arab‐American women than American‐born women by more than 22% 13 . Consistently, only 27% to 57.5% of Korean‐American women reported having regular BSE and mammograms, respectively 14,15 …”