Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Correlates of Dominicans’ Identification of Cancer as a Worrisome Health Problem

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There is a paucity of studies centering on the correlates of cancer worry among Hispanics from the Dominican Republic and the potential informatics strategies to address such worries. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational statistics, and logistic regression with the dependent variable of cancer worry. Independent variables for the regression were: age, gender, marital status, education, socioeconomic status, previous diagnosis of cancer, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and chronic burden. Four variables significantly increased cancer worry: married marital status (OR = 1.19 [95% CI 1.01, 1.41]), younger age (OR = .992 [95% CI 0.987, 0.997]), less depression (OR = .96 [95% CI 0.94, 0.98]), and cancer diagnosis (OR = 2.12 [95% CI 1.24, 3.65]). New knowledge was generated on the contextual factors that influence these health concerns in a major Hispanic sub-group. Implications for practice, research and education are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Brown A, Patten E. Hispanics of Dominican origin in the United States, 2011. Washington: Pew Charitable Trust. 2013. http://www.pewhispanic.org/2013/06/19/hispanics-of-dominican-origin-in-the-united-states-2011/. Accessed 13 Apr 2016.

  2. Center for Latrin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies [CLACLS] (2011). The Latino population of New York City, 1990–2010: Latino Data Project—Report 44. The Graduate Center, City University of New York

  3. New York City Department of City Planning: Population facts. http://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/data-maps/nyc-population/population-facts.page. Accessed 13 Oct 2016.

  4. United States Census Bureau. American Community Survey. http://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/data/race-aian.html. Accessed 13 Oct 2016.

  5. Pew Research Center. Statistical profile: Hispanics of Dominican origin in the United States, 2011. 2013. http://www.pewhispanic.org/2013/06/19/Hispanics-of-dominican-origin-in-the-united-states-2011/. Accessed 13 Oct 2016.

  6. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Community health profiles: Take care Inwood and Washington Heights. 2006. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/data/2006chp-301.pdf. Accessed 13 Oct 2016.

  7. Olson EC, et al. Take care inwood and Washington heights. NYC Commu Health Profiles. 2006;19(42):1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cottler LB, et al. Community needs, concerns, and perceptions about health research: findings from the clinical and translational science award sentinel network. Am J Public Health. 2013;103:1685–92.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Lee YJ, et al. Online health information seeking behaviors of Hispanics in New York City: a community-based cross-sectional study. J Med Internet Res. 2014;16(7):e176. doi:10.2196/jmir.3499.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Custers JA, et al. The cancer worry scale: detecting fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors. Cancer Nurs. 2014;37(1):E44–E50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Fernández ME, et al. Colorectal cancer screening among Latinos in three communities on the Texas–Mexico border. Health Educ Behav. 2015;42(1):16–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Janz NK, et al. Correlates of worry about recurrence in a multi-ethnic population-based sample of women with breast cancer. Cancer. 2011;117:1827–36.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Kelly KM, et al. Cancer recurrence worry, risk perception, and informational-coping styles among Appalachian cancer survivors. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2010;29(1):1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Breznitz S. A study of worrying. Br J Soc Clin Psychol. 1971;10:271–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Cabrera E, Zabalegui A, Blanco I. Versión española de la Cancer Worry Scale (Escala de Preocupación por el Cáncer: adaptación cultural y análisis de la validez y la fiabilidad). Med Clin. 2011;136(1):8–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Lerman C, et al. Psychological side effects of breast cancer screening. Health Psychol. 1991;10(4):259–67.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. McBride C, et al. Understanding the role of cancer worry in creating a “teachable moment” for multiple risk factor reduction. Soc Sci Med. 2008;66:790–800.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Zigmond AS, Snaith RP. The hospital anxiety and depression scale. Acta Psych Scand. 1983;67(6):361–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hay JL, McCaul KD, Magnan RE. Does worry about breast cancer predict screening behaviors? A meta-analysis of the prospective evidence. Prev Med. 2006;42(6):401–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Wevers MR, et al. Does rapid genetic counseling and testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients cause additional psychosocial distress? Results from a randomized clinical trial. Genet Med. 2015;18(2):137–44. doi:10.1038/gim.2015.50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Cabrera E, et al. The impact of genetic counseling on knowledge and emotional responses in Spanish population with family history of breast cancer. Patient Educ Couns. 2010;78:382–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Jandorf L, et al. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of colorectal cancer screening among low income immigrant Hispanics. J Immigr Minor Health. 2010;12:462–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Quillin J, et al. Genetic risk, perceived risk, and cancer worry in daughters of breast cancer patients. J Genet Couns. 2011;20:157–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Flórez K, et al. Fatalism or destiny? A qualitative study and interpretative framework on Dominican women’s breast cancer beliefs. J Immigr Minor Health. 2009;11:291–301.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Consedine NS, et al. Fear and loathing in the Caribbean: three studies of fear and cancer screening in Brooklyn’s immigrant Caribbean subpopulations. Infect Agents Cancer. 2009;4 Suppl 1:S1–S4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Consedine NS, et al. Fear, anxiety, worry, and breast cancer screening behavior: A critical review. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 2004;13:501–10.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Graves K, et al. Perceived risk of breast cancer among Latinas attending community clinics: risk comprehension and relationship with mammography adherence. Cancer Causes Control. 2008;19(10):1373–82.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Heckman CJ, Cohen-Filipic J. Brief report: ultraviolet radiation exposure, considering acculturation among Hispanics (project URECAH). J Cancer Educ. 2012;27(2):342–6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Cella D, et al. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) developed and tested its first wave of adult self-reported health outcome item banks: 2005–2008. J Clin Epidemiol. 2010;63(11):1179–94.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. 1983;24:385–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16:606–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Rosenbaum S. Medicaid. N Engl J Med. 2002;346:635–40. doi:10.1056/NEJM200202213460825.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Foraker RE, et al. Neighborhood socioeconomic status, Medicaid coverage and medical management of myocardial infarction: atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) community surveillance. BMC Public Health. 2010;10(1):632. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-632.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Spitzer RL, et al.: Validity and utility of a self-report version of PRIME-MD: the PHQ primary care study. J Am Med Assoc. 1999;282:1737–44. http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/images/res/PHQ%20-%20Questions.pdf. Accessed 13 Apr 2016.

  35. Coohey C. The relationship between familism and child maltreatment in Latino and Anglo families. Child Maltreat. 2001;6(2):130–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Contreras JM, et al. Parent–child interaction among Latina adolescent mothers: the role of family and social support. J Res Adolesc. 1999;9:417–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Sue DW, Sue D. Counseling the culturally diverse: theory and practice. New York: Wiley; 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Bennett P, et al. Concerns and coping during cancer genetic risk assessment. Psychooncology. 2012;21(6):611–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Borreani C, et al. The psychological impact of breast and ovarian cancer preventive options in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Clin Genet. 2014;85(1):7–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Lillie AK, Clifford C, Metcalfe A. Caring for families with a family history of cancer: why concerns about genetic predisposition are missing from the palliative agenda. Palliat Med. 2011;25:117–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Mellon S, et al. Risk perception and cancer worries in families at increased risk of familial breast/ovarian cancer. Psychooncology. 2008;17(8):756–66.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Phillips KM, et al. Factors associated with breast cancer worry 3 years after completion of adjuvant treatment. Psychooncology. 2013;22(4):936–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Vadaparampil ST, McIntyre J, Quinn GP. Awareness, perceptions, and provider recommendation related to genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer risk among at-risk Hispanic women: similarities and variations by sub-ethnicity. J Genet Couns. 2010;19(6):618–29.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Ruiz PM. Dominican concepts of health and illness. J N. Y. Nurses Assoc. 1990; 21(4):11–13.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Institute of Medicine. The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Washington: National Academies Press; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Institute of Medicine. Delivering high-quality cancer care: charting a new course for a system in crisis. Washington: National Academies Press; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  47. American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer. 2014. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003090-pdf.pdf. Accessed 13 Apr 2016.

  48. Pacsi A. Understanding the experience of Dominican American women with late stage breast cancer: A qualitative study. Hisp Health Care Int. 2015;13(2):86–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to the women who participated in this study. This research was supported by Reducing Health Disparities through Informatics (T32NR007969, Suzanne Bakken, principal investigator).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lienhard School of Nursing, College of Health Professions, Pace University, 163 William Street, Room 513, New York, NY, 10038, USA

    Alsacia L. Sepulveda-Pacsi

  2. Center for Evidence-Based Practice in the Underserved, Columbia University School of Nursing, 617 W. 168th Street, Rm 229, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Suzanne Bakken

Authors
  1. Alsacia L. Sepulveda-Pacsi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Suzanne Bakken
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alsacia L. Sepulveda-Pacsi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sepulveda-Pacsi, A.L., Bakken, S. Correlates of Dominicans’ Identification of Cancer as a Worrisome Health Problem. J Immigrant Minority Health 19, 1227–1234 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0509-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0509-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation