Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 11, Issue 4, 2009, Pages 326-333

Mexican immigrant male knowledge and support toward breast and cervical cancer screening (Article)

Thiel de Bocanegra H.* , Trinh-Shevrin C. , Herrera A.P. , Gany F.
  • a Bixby Center for Global Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
  • b Center for the Study of Asian American Health, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • c Center for Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • d Center for Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States

Abstract

Background: We conducted a focus group study to assess the influence of partner communication on breast and cervical cancer screening and the perceived existing and potential support from male partners in participating in cancer screening. Secondarily, Mexican male and female views on health care and cancer were explored. Methods: Seven focus groups (two female-only, three male-only, and two couples) were conducted in Spanish. Results: Findings suggest that knowledge about cervical cancer was significantly less than knowledge about breast cancer among both men and women. Barriers to cancer screening included language barriers, lack of health insurance, and lack of awareness of the need for screening. Male partners expressed willingness to support their female partners in cancer screening activities. Conclusion: Cervical cancer education is desperately needed, including education on the availability of free and low cost screening services. Education efforts should include the male community members, especially as the males perceive themselves as responsible for the financial burden of care. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.

Author Keywords

Cervical cancer Screening Breast cancer Mexican-American Male involvement Access to care

Index Keywords

immigrant breast cancer mass screening Spouses health insurance human middle aged controlled study priority journal cancer screening social support language Mexico Young Adult Humans Breast Neoplasms Hispanic Adolescent male female clinical article health services Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article adult health education uterine cervix cancer Uterine Cervical Neoplasms Healthcare Disparities attitude to health Mexican Americans
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-67449124307&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-008-9161-3&partnerID=40&md5=7b10cc762b765efcc0f30a98a0f43dbe
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-008-9161-3
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 21
Original Language: English