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Cultural Beliefs and Clinical Breast Examination in Hmong American Women: The Crucial Role of Modesty

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Abstract

Despite grave cancer disparities in Hmong American women, investigation of the group’s breast cancer screening behavior is sparse. This study examined how cultural factors are associated with breast cancer screening utilization, specifically clinical breast exam (CBE), in this population. One hundred and sixty-four Hmong American women between ages 18 and 67 were recruited from a large Midwestern metropolitan area with a median age of 28.0 years. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of cultural variables with receipt of CBE. Roughly 73 % of Hmong American women reported ever having had a CBE. Logistic regression revealed that endorsing more modest views was the greatest barrier to ever having had a CBE. Age and language preference were also found to be significant predictors of past CBE use. Cultural factors should be considered in developing interventions aimed at promoting breast cancer screening in this population. In particular, Hmong American women who have less English proficiency and are relatively younger should be targeted in breast cancer screening efforts.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this research was provided by a grant from the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (MIN-55-01). The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the Hmong American women who participated in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 105 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Avenue, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Hee Yun Lee

  2. Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, USA

    Suzanne Vang

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  1. Hee Yun Lee
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Correspondence to Hee Yun Lee.

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Lee, H.Y., Vang, S. Cultural Beliefs and Clinical Breast Examination in Hmong American Women: The Crucial Role of Modesty. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 746–755 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9890-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9890-9

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