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Barriers to Cancer Screening Among Orthodox Jewish Women

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Abstract

The increased risk of genetic cancer mutations for Ashkenazi Jews is well known. However, little is known about the cancer-related health behaviors of a subset of Ashkenazi Jews, Orthodox Jews, who are a very religious and insular group. This study partnered with Rabbinical leadership and community members in an Orthodox Jewish community to investigate barriers to cancer screening in this community. Orthodox Jewish women were recruited to participate in focus groups designed to elicit their perspectives on barriers to cancer screening. A total of five focus groups were conducted, consisting of 3–5 members per group, stratified by age and family history of cancer. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded using conventional content analysis. The resulting themes identified as barriers to cancer screening were: preservation of hidden miracles, fate, cost, competing priorities, lack of culturally relevant programming, lack of information, and fear. These results provide a unique perspective on barriers to cancer screening in a high risk but understudied population. Findings from this study may serve to inform culturally appropriate cancer education programs to overcome barriers to screening in this and other similar communities.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported in part by National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute Grant U54 CA153606 (T. Albrecht, PI), The Jewish Fund, and services conducted by the Behavioral Field and Research Core supported in part by NCI Center Grant (P30CA22453) to the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, MM03BF, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Rifky Tkatch, Janella Hudson, Anne Katz, Lisa Berry-Bobovski, Jennifer Vichich, Susan Eggly, Louis A. Penner & Terrance L. Albrecht

Authors
  1. Rifky Tkatch
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  2. Janella Hudson
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  3. Anne Katz
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  4. Lisa Berry-Bobovski
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  5. Jennifer Vichich
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  6. Susan Eggly
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  7. Louis A. Penner
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  8. Terrance L. Albrecht
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Correspondence to Rifky Tkatch.

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Tkatch, R., Hudson, J., Katz, A. et al. Barriers to Cancer Screening Among Orthodox Jewish Women. J Community Health 39, 1200–1208 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-014-9879-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-014-9879-x

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