Predictors of breast cancer screening among Korean American women: Is having an annual checkup critical?

Soonok An, Y. Joon Choi, Hee Yun Lee, Young Ji Yoon, Melody Platt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Korean American (KA) immigrant women underutilize breast cancer screening. This study examined factors predicting breast cancer screening behavior among KA women in the United States. Methods: 233 KA women aged 19 to 85 were recruited in the metro area of Atlanta, Georgia. Andersen's behavioral model theoretically guided the study. Result: Of the predisposing factors, age (OR=1.043, p < .01, 95% CI [1.017, 1.069]) and marital status (OR=2.154, p < .05, 95% CI [1.022, 4.539]) were significantly associated with clinical breast exam (CBE), while income (OR=2.289, p < .05, 95% CI [1.060, 4.945]) and annual checkup (OR=2.725, p < .01, 95% CI [1.342, 5.533]) were linked to CBE as enabling factors. For the receipt of mammographic screening, annual checkup was only significantly associated among enabling factors (OR=4.509, p < .05, 95% CI [1.263, 16.102]), while family cancer history was identified as the only significant need factor (OR=.112, p < .01, 95% CI [.023, .552]). Conclusion: Differing factors explained the receipt of CBEs and mammographic use among KA women. Specifically, the findings shed light on the importance of having an annual checkup for the uptake of both CBEs and mammographic use. Intervention strategies should focus on promoting health accessibility for KA women to adhere to recommended breast cancer screening.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1281-1286
Number of pages6
JournalAsian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Early detection of cancer
  • Health services accessibility
  • Immigrants
  • Korean American women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Oncology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Cancer Research

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