Impact of Culture on Breast Cancer Screening in Chinese American Women

摘要

The purpose of this study is to develop and use culturally appropriate and stage-tailored Chinese language breast cancer brochures to promote older Chinese American women's intentions to obtain mammography. A three-year research plan is designed to pursue this purpose. In Year 1, the brochures were developed and refined based on previous finding of cultural and language barriers to breast cancer screening in Chinese women. In Year 2, two hundred and fifty Chinese women aged 50 and older in the Washington, DC area completed a telephone interview regarding their previous screening experience, cultural views and screening barriers. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group with stage-tailored brochures or a control group with standand brochures. In Year 3, we mailed the appropriate set of materials to participants and conducted process and outcome evaluations of the intervention materials. In a no cost extension period, Year 4, we completed the followup assessment and conducted data analyses. Cultural and lanuage barriers were associated the regular use of mammography. Participants increased their intentions to obtain a mamogram after the brochure intervention. The PI has strengthened her expertise in cancer prevention research throughout the course of this project and advanced her professional development by receiving new funding and applying for faculty promotion.