Reaching special populations with breast and cervical cancer public education

With passage of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990, significant activity has emerged in the development, implementation, and evaluation of breast and cervical cancer screening programs targeting underserved populations. This activity has prompted health educators and program planners to identify barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening specific to low-income and minority women, those traditionally underserved by cancer control programs, and to develop strategies that address these barriers. The authors reviewed current knowledge regarding barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening and public education interventions that address them. The results and implications for program planning activities are presented.