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Determinants of Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence in Mexican–American Women

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Abstract

Despite the effectiveness of cancer screening procedures, its utilization among Latinas remains low. Guided, in part, by the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, this study examined the associations between predisposing, enabling, and need factors with self-reported breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening adherence. Participants were 319 Mexican–American women, from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, living near the United States-Mexico border. Women were adherent with breast cancer (BC) screening (≥42 years) if they had received at least one mammogram within the last 2 years, with cervical cancer (CC) screening (≥40 years) if they had received at least one Pap exam in the last 3 years, and with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (≥52 years) if they had undergone one or more of the following: Fecal Occult Blood Test within the last year, or sigmoidoscopy in the last 5 years, or colonoscopy within the last 10 years. BC and CC screenings were higher in the current sample compared to national and state figures: 82% with mammography and 86% adherent with Pap exam screening. However, only 43% were adherent with CRC screening recommendations. Characteristics associated with mammography adherence included CC adherence and usual source of care. BC adherence was associated to CC adherence. Characteristics associated with CRC adherence included BC adherence, being premenopausal, and insurance coverage. A key correlate of cancer screening adherence was adherence to other preventive services. Results underscore the need for continued efforts to ensure that Latinas of all SES levels obtain regular and timely cancer screenings.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to Dr. Linda C. Gallo (Grant Number: 1R01HL081604-01A1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 105, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA

    Patricia Gonzalez

  2. Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 110, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA

    Sheila F. Castaneda & Gregory A. Talavera

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

    Paul J. Mills

  4. Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 221, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA

    John P. Elder

  5. SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA

    Linda C. Gallo

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  1. Patricia Gonzalez
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Correspondence to Patricia Gonzalez.

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Gonzalez, P., Castaneda, S.F., Mills, P.J. et al. Determinants of Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence in Mexican–American Women. J Community Health 37, 421–433 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-011-9459-2

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