Breast cancer beliefs and mammography screening practices among Chinese American Immigrants

Objective: To explore knowledge and beliefs (perceived risk factors, susceptibility, benefits, common barriers, and cultural barriers) in relation to mammography screening practices among Chinese American women. Design: A descriptive study guided by the Health Belief Model. Setting: Metropolitan area in the northwestern United States. Participants: One hundred Chinese immigrant women, 40 years or older. Main Outcome Measures: The percentage of Chinese American women ages 40 and older who ever received a mammogram and who received a mammogram within the past year. Results: Although 86% of the respondents reported that they had once had a mammogram, only 48.5% had a mammogram within the past year. The strongest factor associated with having a mammogram within the past year was having an immediate family member diagnosed with breast cancer, followed by having insurance that covered a mammogram and lower perceived barriers to obtaining a mammogram. Respondents had low knowledge of breast cancer and mammography screening guidelines. They also perceived low susceptibility to breast cancer. Conclusions: Nurses may influence the mammogram rates among Chinese American women by providing health education to family members of patients with breast cancer, reducing perceived barriers to mammogram, and seeking alternative payment mechanisms for patients who do not have insurance coverage for mammogram.