Connie Kim Yen Nguyen-Truong1, Kim Quy Vo Nguyen2, Thai Hien Nguyen3, Tuong Vy Le4, Anthony My Truong4, Keara Rodela3. 1. 1 Washington State University College of Nursing, Vancouver, WA, USA. 2. 2 Vietnamese Women's Health Project of the Vietnamese American Community, Seattle, WA, USA. 3. 3 Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization Asian Family Center, Portland, OR, USA. 4. 4 Vietnamese Women's Health Project of the Vietnamese American Community, Portland, OR, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Although breast cancer (BC) rates are declining in White non-Hispanic American women, they are increasing among Vietnamese American women (VAW) at 1.2% (95% confidence interval [0.1, 2.2]) per year. BC screening rates (64%) are below the national rates (81.1%). This article explores VAW's beliefs about BC and screening. METHOD: Using community-based participatory qualitative descriptive methods, 40 VAW were recruited from Oregon, and four focus groups were conducted. A directed content analysis was used. RESULTS: Main themes were as follows: deferred to a health care provider or relying on self-detection and symptoms; fear of BC versus fear of procedural pain; limited knowledge; motivation by observing others' journey in BC death or survivorship; body image concern; "living carefree," "good fortune-having good health"; and coverage for a mammogram expense means health care access. DISCUSSION: Tailored interventions should address mammogram knowledge, fear, erroneous information, body image, fate and luck, and promoting access.
INTRODUCTION: Although breast cancer (BC) rates are declining in White non-Hispanic American women, they are increasing among Vietnamese American women (VAW) at 1.2% (95% confidence interval [0.1, 2.2]) per year. BC screening rates (64%) are below the national rates (81.1%). This article explores VAW's beliefs about BC and screening. METHOD: Using community-based participatory qualitative descriptive methods, 40 VAW were recruited from Oregon, and four focus groups were conducted. A directed content analysis was used. RESULTS: Main themes were as follows: deferred to a health care provider or relying on self-detection and symptoms; fear of BC versus fear of procedural pain; limited knowledge; motivation by observing others' journey in BC death or survivorship; body image concern; "living carefree," "good fortune-having good health"; and coverage for a mammogram expense means health care access. DISCUSSION: Tailored interventions should address mammogram knowledge, fear, erroneous information, body image, fate and luck, and promoting access.