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Heterogeneity in Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Practices Among Female Hispanic Immigrants in the United States

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Abstract

This study examined differences in cervical and breast cancer (CC and BC) screening among a heterogeneous group of Hispanic women. Data from 247 women (mean age = 38.7 ± 13.3) from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and countries throughout Central and South America regarding participation in Pap smears, mammography, clinical breast exam (CBE) and breast self-exams (BSE), CC and BC knowledge, and acculturation were analyzed. Differences in CBE and BSE screening behaviors were found based on country of origin (P < .01). However, after adjusting for the independent variables, only acculturation and knowledge remained significant correlates to BSE and CBE (P < .01). Dominican women had higher BC knowledge scores (P < .01) adhered most to BC screening guidelines. Heterogeneity in BC and CC screening was found among Hispanic sub-groups and suggests that health promotion programs should be tailored appropriately, particularly among recent immigrants.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to kindly thank the contributions of Rafael Prager, Anabella Castillo, Michell Treviño and Frances Harfouche for their contributions to this study and manuscript. This study was funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Grant POP0503950.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Baruch College, CUNY One Bernard Baruch Way, Box 8-210, New York, NY, 10010, USA

    Catalina Lawsin

  2. Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Deborah Erwin

  3. Department of Biostatistics, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA

    Zoran Bursac

  4. Department of Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Lina Jandorf

Authors
  1. Catalina Lawsin
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  2. Deborah Erwin
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  3. Zoran Bursac
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  4. Lina Jandorf
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Correspondence to Catalina Lawsin.

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Lawsin, C., Erwin, D., Bursac, Z. et al. Heterogeneity in Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Practices Among Female Hispanic Immigrants in the United States. J Immigrant Minority Health 13, 834–841 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9378-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9378-9

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