Assessing breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and misconceptions among Latinas in Houston, Texas

J Cancer Educ. 2006 Spring;21(1 Suppl):S42-6. doi: 10.1207/s15430154jce2101s_9.

Abstract

Background: Limited breast cancer knowledge and beliefs, risk factors, screening procedures, and cultural barriers may keep Latinas from seeking health care.

Method: We examined the breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and misconceptions of 63 Latinas residing in Houston, Texas.

Results: More than a third of participants held a negative or fatalistic view of breast cancer, 29% believed pain was a warning sign for the disease, and 11.1% had never heard of breast cancer.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate this population holds many misconceptions about breast cancer, which may have a negative impact on preventive behaviors on this minority population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Breast Self-Examination
  • Cultural Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Hispanic or Latino* / psychology
  • Hispanic or Latino* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Mammography
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Social Class
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Texas / epidemiology