Breast Cancer and Clinical Breast Exams: Linguistically and Culturally Focused Ways to Provide Educational Information to Filipino Women in Waipahu, Hawai‘i

摘要

The large number of breast cancers diagnosed in Asian women in general, and in Filipino women in particular, is partially attributed to lack of screening on the part of the client and lack of understanding of their cultural ways on the part of the primary care provider. Providing education about Breast Cancer and clinical breast exams by an advanced practice nurse (APRN) in the three major dialects, Ilocano, Tagalog, and Visayan, spoken by the Filipinos in Waipahu, Hawai‘i, will improve the preventative health practices of the women of that community. Educational information on breast health and familiarity with one's own breast was provided by the APRN, as well as a clinical breast exam, explaining what the women needed to do at home. The study was supported by the Susan G. Komen Fund and the Filipino Cultural Center, and was approved by the Hawai‘i Pacific University IRB. Questionnaires in their specific dialects about their breast health/cancer knowledge were provided pre-education, services were provided in dialect, and a post-survey about their satisfaction with the whole process in their dialects was also provided to the 30 participants. Analysis indicated that 50% had no knowledge about breast cancer and the purpose of screening. Twenty percent believed injury lead to breast cancer and 30% had misinformation. Overall, the majority indicated no knowledge about breast cancer. They noted that doctors and screening weren't available in the Philippines. And they didn't mention the word cancer because it might bring about the disease. All participants were very satisfied with the linguistically, culturally focused education about breast cancer and how to do a correct self-exam through demonstration by the APRN during the clinical breast exam.