Xuefen Su, BA, MPH (c)¹, Grace X. Ma, PhD², Yin Tan, MD, MPH³, Alice J Hausman, PhD, MPH⁴, Brenda F. Seals, PhD, MPH⁵, Rosita L. Edwards, MA⁶, and Jamil Toubbeh, PhD⁶. (1) Research Assistant, Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, College of Health Professions, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122, (215) 787-5435, xsu@astro.temple.edu, (2) Associate Professor of Public Health, Department of Public Health, Director of Center for Asian Health, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122-0843, (3) Project Manager and Research Associate, Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122-0843, (4) Department of Health Studies, Temple University, PO Box 2843, 304 Vivacqua Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19122, (5) MPH Program, Practice and Research Coordinator, Department of Public Health, Temple University, 301-F Vivacqua Hall, 1700 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, (6) Department of Public Health, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer (55.0/100,000) (Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, 2001) and the second leading cause of cancer death among Chinese American women (11/100,000) (National Cancer Institute, 1996, cited in Tang, Solomon, & McCracken, 2000; National Women’s Health Network, 2003). Previous studies have found significant disparity in breast cancer screening for Asian American women, specifically Chinese American women in the western or middle-western areas of the United States. The primary aims of the current study are to measure awareness and knowledge of, and to assess attitudes toward breast cancer and its early detection, and to determine behaviors, facilitators, and barriers to breast cancer early detection among Chinese American women in the Greater Philadelphia region. A cross-sectional self-administered or face-to-face interview survey was conducted among 100 Chinese women, using a convenient sample. Participants were recruited from several Chinese community-based organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area. The findings of the survey will identify knowledge, awareness level, and attitudes toward cancer, breast cancer and early detection, utilization rates of breast self-exam, clinical breast exam, mammogram, and socioeconomic and acculturation variables that are predictors of outcome variables. The study results will be used to design a culturally tailored and linguistically appropriate breast cancer intervention program for Chinese women to increase the screening rates in this underserved population.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the audience will be able to describe the knowledge and awareness levels of cancer, breast cancer and early detection, attitudes toward, behaviors of, facilitators, and barriers to early detection methods among Chinese women in the Greater Philadelphia region;
• At the conclusion of the session, the audience will be able to identify the socioeconomic and acculturation predictors of the above outcome variables for Chinese women residing in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Keywords: Asian Women, Breast Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.