Message Received: African American Women and Breast Cancer Screening. Issue 5 (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Passmore, Susan Racine; Williams-Parry, Kester F.; Casper, Erica; Thomas, Stephen B.
• Is Part Of: Health promotion practice. Volume 18:Issue 5(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: 726
• Page End: 733
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: breast cancer -- cancer prevention and control -- health disparities -- health promotion -- Black/African American -- minority health; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- United States -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/1524839917696714
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-8399

Abstract

African American women are more likely than other women to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, to be diagnosed at a late stage, and to die from the disease. Yet we see evidence of irregular screening and follow-up. Previous research on psychosocial factors influencing decisions to screen reveals barriers: fear, fatalistic perceptions of cancer, inaccurate perceptions of risk, and associations with stigma. The current qualitative research with, largely, insured African American women ( n = 26), health navigators ( n = 6), and community stakeholders ( n = 24) indicates both positive and negative factors influencing decision making. The women in our sample believe in the value of early detection and are motivated to screen in response to encouragement from health providers. However, they also report several factors that contribute to their decisions to delay or not screen. These include (1) perceptions that the health community itself is confused about the need for screening, (2) perceptions that White women are the priority population for breast cancer, (3) family roles that prohibit self-care and encourage secrecy, and (4) fear of diagnosis. Participants report not feeling included in national-level health promotion campaigns. It is argued that African American women, in particular, may benefit from more nuanced health information about their risk.