Keywords

Breast cancer, Breast self-examination (BSE), Chinese immigrants, Clinical breast examination (CBE), Mammogram, New York City

 

Authors

  1. Chen, Wei-Ti DNSc, RN, CNM

Abstract

Breast cancer is a significant threat to Chinese women living in the United States. The purposes of this study are, first, to examine the relationships among breast cancer risk knowledge, general cancer beliefs, and breast examination practices and, second, to determine the predictors of breast examination practices among Chinese women in New York. The study offers a descriptive approach that makes use of a correlation cross-sectional survey (N = 135). Five significant predictors are related to breast examination practices as a result of the study findings: age, acculturation, private insurance status, legal status, and length of stay in New York. Findings show that women who have regular breast examinations most likely belong to older generations, as compared with their younger peers. Study findings suggest that healthcare providers must become more culturally sensitive to the practices and needs of Chinese immigrants. Evidently, providing information regarding cancer prevention targeted for female Chinese immigrants can help increase use of cancer screening tests.