Breast cancer is most treatable when detected early. Health care providers have been educating women of all ages to practice Breast Self Examination (BSE) and for women over 50 years old to seek mammography once a year in order to detect any lumps of the breast. However, it is unclear if the immigrant community is aware of these early detection methods. The purpose of this paper is to assess the knowledge of foreign born Chinese women living in San Francisco regarding BSE and mammography, as well as the actual practice of BSE and the utilization of mammography. Among 798 subjects interviewed through telephone survey, 452 were identified as female and foreign born. Among these 452 women, 366 (81%) had heard of or were aware of BSE to detect breast cancer. However, among the same sample, only 243 (53.8%) ever practiced BSE. Among the same group of women, 331 (73.2%) were aware or heard of the utilization of mammography to detect breast cancer; however only 205 women (45.4%) had ever had a mammography. Logistic regression models were used to predict the association between socio-demographic variables and the likelihood of BSE practice and mammography utilization. For BSE practice, length of stay in the US and income were the two variables statistically significant in predicting the practice of BSE. Variables most predictive of the utilization of mammography included age, self-rated health, birthplace, and citizenship. Surprisingly, insurance status was not predictive of the utilization of mammography in this sample.
Learning Objectives: To assess the knowledge of Breast Self Examination and mammography among Chinese immigrant women. To evaluate the practice and utilization of BSE and mammography among Chinese immigrant women. To develop community interventions that will increase the practice and utlization of BSE and mammography among Chinese immigrant women.
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Community Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.