Volume 28, Issue 5: October, 2001

Abstract

FACTORS RELATED TO CANCER SCREENING IN HISPANICS: A COMPARISON OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF HISPANIC COMMUNITY MEMBERS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE HISPANICS

Klaus Puschel, MD, MPH, Beti Thompson, PhD, Gloria D. Coronado, MS, Lisa C. Lopez, MPH and Ann Marie Kimball, MD, MPH

Hispanics have lower rates of screening for cervical, breast, and colon cancer than non-Hispanics. Activities to increase cancer screening in this population may not be informed by Hispanics, which may have implications for success rates of interventions. In this study, the perceptions about cancer screening behaviors in Hispanics are compared among three groups: a random sample of respondents (75% Hispanic) to a population-based survey, health care providers (primarily non-Hispanic), and representatives of organizations that serve Hispanics (36% Hispanic). While there was agreement that socioeconomic factors were important for cancer screening, differing views were expressed regarding the importance of cultural factors for cancer screening among Hispanics. Interventions developed by those who serve the Hispanic population may be based on inaccurate perceptions about the beliefs and practices of the population served. For effective interventions, it will be necessary to understand the factors important to Hispanics for cancer screening.