Abstract C52: Associations between religion-related factors and breast cancer screening among American Muslims

Abstract

Abstract Background: The limited research of breast cancer screening among different American Muslim groups consistently demonstrates low rates of mammography. There has been no survey of how religion-related factors influence screening patterns in a diverse sample of American Muslims. Methods: We partnered with the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago to survey English-speaking women aged 40 years and older frequenting mosques and community sites. The self-administered survey included several adapted measures of religiosity, fatalism, and discrimination from the literature, and incorporated a pilot measure of Islamic modesty. Results: 240 women completed the survey with nearly equal numbers of indigenous African Americans (27%), Arab Americans (33%), and South Asians (32%). 77% of the sample reported ever having a mammogram while only 37% had a mammogram within the past 1-2 years. There were no significant differences in rates by race/ethnicity. On multivariate analysis positive religious coping (OR= 0.21, p <0.05) and perceived religious identity-directed discrimination (OR=0.74, p<0.05) were negatively associated with having biennial mammograms, while having a primary care physician (OR=20, p<0.01,) greatly increased the odds of having a mammogram. Ever having a mammogram was positively associated with years of US residence (>20 yrs OR=4.3, p<0.05) and increasing level of educational attainment. Islamic modesty, fatalistic beliefs, breast cancer knowledge, educational attainment, insurance status and were not associated with mammography rates. Conclusions: Cancer disparity research typically focuses on inequities across ethnic and racial lines, and therefore overlooks the influence of a shared religion upon health behaviors across race and ethnicity. Our survey suggests that religion-related factors such as positive religious coping and perceived religious discrimination influence breast cancer screening patterns among American Muslims. Consequently, programs leveraging shared religious networks, such as mosques and Imams, may be a means to address religious barriers that impede screening across ethnic and racial lines. Citation Format: Aasim I. Padela, Sohad Murrar, Brigid Adviento, Zahra Hosseinain, Monica Peek, Olufunmilayo Olopade, Farr Curline. Associations between religion-related factors and breast cancer screening among American Muslims. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C52. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-C52