Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Pacific Islander women, yet relatively little is known about their cancer risks and screening behaviors. Chamorros are indigenous people from Guam, and California is home to the largest numbers of Chamorros on the mainland United States. This study examined the breast cancer risk, knowledge, and screening behaviors in a nonprobability sample of Chamorro women age 40 years and older in Los Angeles and Orange Counties (n = 227). The proportional incidence ratio for breast cancer among Chamorro women was found to be 0.7 compared with white women in California, indicating a lower current breast cancer risk for Chamorro women compared with white women. Thirty-seven percent of respondents ever performed a breast self-examination (BSE), 93% ever had a clinical breast examination (CBE), and 77% ever had a mammogram. In terms of screening maintenance, only 27% did BSE monthly, 66% received a CBE in the past year, and 25% received yearly mammograms. Significant correlates of CBE were higher educational attainment, married status, higher income, and health insurance coverage. Women who knew of breast cancer symptoms, would undergo treatment, and would like to know if they had breast cancer were also more likely to have ever had a CBE. With regard to mammography, older age, moderate income, married status, and use of traditional healers and healing practices were associated with higher screening incidence. Implications of these findings for developing culturally tailored and appropriate cancer screening programs are discussed.
Highlights
BREAST CANCER REPRESENTS the most common cancer for Pacific Islander women, yet relatively little is known about the cancer risks and screening behaviors of ethnic subgroups.[1]
We present data on proportional incidence, screening rates, and cancer knowledge for Chamorro women 40 years and older in Los Angeles and Orange County, California
This study examined the breast cancer risk and self-reported screening knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Chamorro women in Southern California
Summary
BREAST CANCER REPRESENTS the most common cancer for Pacific Islander women, yet relatively little is known about the cancer risks and screening behaviors of ethnic subgroups.[1]. Guam is the westernmost territory of the United States, and Chamorros are indigenous Guamanians who constitute approximately 47% of the island’s 150,000 population.[7] In the first published report of cancer on Guam, breast cancer was the leading cancer site for Guamanian women (with an incidence rate of 60.9 per 100,000).[8] We use the term “Guamanians” only when Chamorro-specific data are not available, with the understanding that this category overestimates the true numbers of Chamorros.) In the only known study of cancer screening among Chamorro women on Guam, 47% had ever had a mammogram.[9] There are no published studies of breast cancer incidence or screening among Chamorros in the United States
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