A value-based approach to increase breast cancer screening and health-directed behaviors among American Indian women

J Cancer Educ. 2010 Dec;25(4):582-7. doi: 10.1007/s13187-010-0111-0. Epub 2010 Apr 20.

Abstract

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women have the lowest cancer-screening rate of any ethnic or racial group; AI/AN women in all regions are less likely than non-Hispanic white women to be diagnosed with localized breast cancer; and those AI/AN women presenting with breast cancer have the lowest 5-year survival rate compared to other ethnic groups. This study found that cultural beliefs are more of a factor in mammography screening behavior than other barriers such as access; and that a more holistic educational intervention designed by AI/AN women prompted individual intent and actions to seek mammograms among AI/AN women >40 and to change unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology
  • Early Detection of Cancer / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior / ethnology
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American / psychology*
  • Indians, North American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Mass Screening*
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance