Journal of Community Health
Volume 10, Issue 3, 1985, Pages 121-135

Screening for cervical and breast cancer among Caribbean immigrants (Article)

Fruchter R.G.* , Wright C. , Habenstreit B. , Remy J.C. , Boyce J.G. , Imperato P.J.
  • a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, 11203, NY, United States
  • b [Affiliation not available]
  • c [Affiliation not available]
  • d [Affiliation not available]
  • e [Affiliation not available]
  • f [Affiliation not available]

Abstract

A screening program for cervical and breast cancer, focused on immigrant Caribbean women, was carried out at neighborhood sites (churches, schools, etc.) in a low-income area of Brooklyn, New York. The yield of abnormal Pap tests was 13.3/1000 women screened; the yield of breast cancer was 2.2/1000 women examined. Approximately half of the Haitian immigrants (N=361) had no prior Pap test, compared to one-quarter of the English-speaking Caribbean immigrants (N=228) and one-tenth of the U.S.-born Black women (N=264). Only 47% of Haitian women had a regular source of health care compared to 74% of the English speaking Caribbean women and 83% of the U.S.-born Black women. Haitian women were much less likely to practice breast self-examination or to use contraception than were U.S.-born Black women. This program reveals significant needs for preventive health services among low-income Caribbean immigrant women, and demonstrates that selective neighborhood-site programs can be effective in reaching those in need. © 1985 Human Sciences Press.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Vaginal Smears Short Survey West Indies immigrant breast cancer mass screening methodology human geographic distribution screening breast Breast Neoplasms Humans female genital system female diagnosis uterine cervix cancer New York City Uterine Cervical Neoplasms cancer growth ethnic or racial aspects Emigration and Immigration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0022338772&doi=10.1007%2fBF01323956&partnerID=40&md5=792e6b9bb0a8f6f2abe553aee16018f2
DOI: 10.1007/BF01323956
ISSN: 00945145
Cited by: 25
Original Language: English