Knowledge and Attitudes of Hispanic Women and Their Health Care Providers about Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Screening

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to develop and evaluate an educational program for health care providers and patients on the topics of general breast cancer risk factors, breast cancer genetics, and breast cancer screening recommendations. The program was designed with specific emphasis on addressing the needs of medically underserved Hispanic women in Southern Texas. We also identified and compared perceptions of potential barriers to breast cancer screening. Methods: The educational program was piloted with patient and health care provider focus groups. After incorporating modifications suggested by the focus groups, 103 patients and 94 health care providers (HCPs) from community health clinics in Harris County, Tex., were recruited to participate in the study. Changes in knowledge were measured through the use of pre- and postseminar questionnaires. Results: The program identified various misconceptions about breast cancer in representative groups of patients and HCPs. Comparison of pre- and post-test scores indicated that both groups made significant gains in knowledge about breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Participant evaluations indicated that the seminar was informative and interesting. Both patients and HCPs agreed that the cost of breast cancer screening and the lack of sufficient bilingual HCPs were ‘major’ barriers to obtaining breast cancer screening, but had differing opinions regarding other potential barriers. Conclusions: We have developed an effective method of education about breast cancer risk factors and screening for two groups: Hispanic women of lower educational and socioeconomic levels, and the HCPs who serve them. Based on the successful reception of our program, we propose extending it to other areas of Texas with demographics similar to those of the study population.

A Pilot Study of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Knowledge Among a Multiethnic Group of Hispanic Women with a Personal or Family History of Cancer

“…First, our sample was recruited from the Tampa Bay area and may not be representative of Hispanics from other regions of the United States. However, we did find many parallels between knowledge in our study population and that of studies of other Hispanic groups in Texas and New York (Strecker et al, 2002;Sussner et al, 2009). Second, there is currently controversy about if or how acculturation should be measured in the context of health research (Hunt et al, 2004).…”

“…In contrast, less than 40% of women correctly answered questions related to the prevalence of BRCA mutations and risk reduction options related to ovarian cancer. In a study of 103 Hispanic patients enrolled in one of five primary clinics in a Texasbased study, less than one quarter of respondents was able to identify the amount of breast cancer due to hereditary predisposition (Strecker et al, 2002). Similarly, in our study, only 9% of women selected false to a question about whether half of all cases of breast cancer are attributed to a BRCA mutation.…”

“…Therefore, it is also possible that knowledge about HBOC will also vary among Hispanic subethnic groups. A limited number of studies have addressed knowledge about basic concepts related to HBOC (e.g., pattern of inheritance pattern, cancer risks, and mutation prevalence) (Strecker et al, 2002;Katapodi and Aouizerat, 2005). However, none have examined knowledge in a multiethnic group of Hispanic women with a personal or family history of cancer suggestive of HBOC.…”

A Qualitative Investigation of Cancer Survivorship Experiences Among Rural Hispanics

“…Many of the barriers to seeking diagnosis and treatment identified by participants in our study have also been identified in the literature as barriers related to cancer screening, including cost, fear, embarrassment, and inaccurate risk perceptions (Coronado, et al, 2004; M.E.Fernandez, Palmer, & Leong-Wu, 2005; Strecker, Williams, Bondy, Johnston, & Northrup, 2002). However, much of the survivorship literature to date has focused primarily on issues facing non-Hispanic white women, particularly those living with breast cancer.…”

The Development of a Spanish Language Instrument to Measure Genetic Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

“…Of particular note are associations between knowledge, a central construct of health literacy, and use of genetic services and information. Limited knowledge of genetics among Latinos has been shown to impede both service provision (Browner et al, 2003;Urdaneta et al, 2002) and participation in services (Learman et al, 2003;Strecker, Williams, Bondy, Johnston, & Northrup, 2002;Thompson, Valdimarsdottir, Jandorf, & Redd, 2003). This is significant in light of research suggesting minimal levels of genetic knowledge among members of the Latino community (Hunt et al, 2005;Ramirez et al, 2006;Singer, Antonucci, & Van Hoewyk, 2004;Strecker et al, 2002;Urdaneta et al, 2002).…”