Melissa A Simon1,2, Laura S Tom1, XinQi Dong3. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. 2. Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. 3. Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chicago's Chinatown is home to a sizeable community of first-generation Chinese American immigrants. This qualitative study seeks to describe the attitudes toward, and barriers and facilitators of, breast cancer screening among Chinese women in Chicago's Chinatown to inform strategies for future interventions. METHODS: We conducted six focus groups among Chinese-speaking adult women aged 45 and older. Focus groups were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for emergent themes. RESULTS: Forty-seven women participated in focus groups; 10 (21%) had received a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, all participants were foreign-born, and 80% have resided in the United States for over 10 years. Participants expressed a range of breast cancer beliefs, attitudes toward screening, barriers encountered, and facilitators. Some differences were noted between women with cancer and those without. Barriers described include language, time, not wanting to burden their adult children, and transportation. Navigation services and physician recommendation were suggested facilitators to screening. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have important implications for development of interventions and policies to bolster breast cancer screening among Chinese women. We highlight the need to connect Chinese older adults with resources to navigate the health care system and present opportunities for community stakeholders, researchers, health professionals, and policy makers to improve the health of Chinese Americans.
BACKGROUND: Chicago's Chinatown is home to a sizeable community of first-generation Chinese American immigrants. This qualitative study seeks to describe the attitudes toward, and barriers and facilitators of, breast cancer screening among Chinese women in Chicago's Chinatown to inform strategies for future interventions. METHODS: We conducted six focus groups among Chinese-speaking adult women aged 45 and older. Focus groups were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for emergent themes. RESULTS: Forty-seven women participated in focus groups; 10 (21%) had received a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, all participants were foreign-born, and 80% have resided in the United States for over 10 years. Participants expressed a range of breast cancer beliefs, attitudes toward screening, barriers encountered, and facilitators. Some differences were noted between women with cancer and those without. Barriers described include language, time, not wanting to burden their adult children, and transportation. Navigation services and physician recommendation were suggested facilitators to screening. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have important implications for development of interventions and policies to bolster breast cancer screening among Chinese women. We highlight the need to connect Chinese older adults with resources to navigate the health care system and present opportunities for community stakeholders, researchers, health professionals, and policy makers to improve the health of Chinese Americans.
Authors: Israel De Alba; F Allan Hubbell; Juliet M McMullin; Jamie M Sweningson; Richard Saitz Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Melissa A Simon; Laura S Tom; Narissa J Nonzee; Kara R Murphy; Richard Endress; XinQi Dong; Joe Feinglass Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2015-02-25 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Katherine G Hastings; Powell O Jose; Kristopher I Kapphahn; Ariel T H Frank; Benjamin A Goldstein; Caroline A Thompson; Karen Eggleston; Mark R Cullen; Latha P Palaniappan Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-04-27 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Melissa A Simon; Laura S Tom; Ivy Leung; Esther Wong; Eileen E Knightly; Daniel P Vicencio; Ann Yau; Karen Ortigara; XinQi Dong Journal: Health Serv Insights Date: 2019-04-18
Authors: Marquita W Lewis-Thames; Laura S Tom; Ivy S Leung; Anna Yang; Melissa A Simon Journal: BMC Womens Health Date: 2022-02-04 Impact factor: 2.809