Social‐cognitive aspects of underserved Latinas preparing to undergo genetic cancer risk assessment for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objectives: As Latinos are a growing ethnic group in the United States, it is important to understand the socio-cultural factors that may be associated with cancer screening and prevention in this population. The socio-cultural factors that may affect preparedness to undergo genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) deserve particular attention. The pre-GCRA period can provide insight into variables that may influence how medically underserved Latinas, with limited health resources and access, understand hereditary cancer information and subsequently implement cancer risk management recommendations. This study explores social, cognitive and cultural variables in Latinas prior to undergoing GCRA.Methods: The study sample consisted of low-income, underserved Latinas referred for GCRA because of a personal and/or family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Acculturation, cancer-specific fatalism, self-efficacy and social support were assessed prior to GCRA.Results: Fifty Latinas (mean age 5 40.177.7) completed instruments; 86% had invasive cancer, 78% spoke primarily Spanish and 61% were of Mexican ancestry. Low levels of acculturation (n 5 50, mean 5 9.075.8) and cancer-specific fatalism (n 5 43, mean 5 5.673.2), but relatively high self-efficacy (n 5 49, mean 5 40.977.8) and social support (n 5 49, mean 5 37.378.7) were reported. Cancer-specific fatalism and self-efficacy were inversely correlated (r 5 À0.47, p 5 0.002). Those over age 38 at the time of cancer diagnosis reported higher acculturation (mean 5 11.477.2, p 5 0.02) and social support (mean 5 40.571.2, p 5 0.05).Conclusions: These findings suggest that medically underserved Latinas may already possess some of the necessary skills to successfully approach the GCRA process, but that special attention should be given to cultural factors.

Ethnic Identity and Perceived Stress in HIV+ Minority Women: The Role of Coping Self-Efficacy and Social Support

“…Furthermore, ethnic identity has been associated with increased use of social support in Asian Americans, which in turn has been associated with decreased perceptions of race-related stress [13]. Additionally, Latina women with lower levels of acculturation (i.e., preserving ethnic identity) report higher levels of coping self-efficacy and perceived support in coping with genetic cancer screening results [14]. Taking together this work in view of Anderson's [6] theoretical model proposed previously, it is plausible to propose that coping self-efficacy and social support mediate the relationship between ethnic identity and psychological stress.…”

Genetic counseling for patients and families with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in a developing Asian country: an observational descriptive study

“…Our understanding about attitudes towards genetic testing for predisposition genes for cancers in non-Caucasian populations are largely based on studies done on minority populations, particularly amongst the African-American and Hispanic populations in the United States [3,[6][7][8][9][10]. In these populations, disparities in uptake of cancer genetic services have been described and may be attributable to differences in exposure to genetic information and referral by health care providers, but are not explained by differences in risk factors for carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation, socioeconomic factors, risk perception, or attitudes.…”

Concerns about inherited risk of breast cancer prior to diagnosis in Japanese patients with breast complaints

“…However, some participants with fatalistic thoughts may not have expressed their concerns about inherited risk of cancer. In a study of women with a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer, Lagos et al [40] revealed that fatalism was less prevalent in women who had high levels of self-efficacy. In the present study, participants who mentioned coping (risk-reducing) behavior may have had higher levels of self-efficacy compared with other patients.…”