Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is a major problem for the patient as it increases the risks that the disease will have advanced beyond a stage at which it could have been cured. It is also a major social problem that results in unnecessary human suffering, premature mortality and increased medical costs. In breast cancer literature, there is extensive research on psychological determinants of delay. In contrast, social and cultural factors such as gender, ethnicity, class and cultural orientation have not received enough attention. There is diversity in people’s responses to crises like breast cancer depending on their cultural and social orientation. Especially, in a context like North America where immigrants constitute a large part of the society it is important to know those determinants of help seeking behavior that could have implications on health policies. This project is aimed to fill a gap by providing a comprehensive review of the models and studies that recognize the importance of the socio-cultural determinants that add to the understanding of women’s delay in medical help seeking in the presence of breast cancer symptoms. The proposed presentation will focus on findings of studies conducted with South Asian and Chinese women who are living in North America or women who reside in China or South Asia. Findings will be discussed in relation to women from other cultural groups and suggestions for further research and health policy and program development and/or implementation will be made.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss findings of studies that will be presented on cultural factors of delay in medical help seeking for breast cancer symptoms in relation to other cultural groups that are largely represented in North America 2. Recognize the effects of culture on health behavior 3. Incorporate the importance of developing culturally sensitive health programs to deal with problems of delay in medical help seeking
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Culture
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.