Screening Mammogram Adherence in Medically Underserved Women: Does Language Preference Matter?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Oncology

Background:

• Screening mammograms are crucial for early breast cancer detection.
• Medically underserved populations often face barriers to accessing regular screenings.
• Language preference can be a significant factor influencing healthcare adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between language preference and screening mammogram adherence among medically underserved women in New York City.
• To identify demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with lower mammogram screening rates.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 518 women aged 40 and above attending breast health education programs.
• Participants represented diverse language groups including English, Spanish, Chinese, and French speakers.
• Statistical analyses were performed to determine the likelihood of adherence based on language preference and other factors.

Main Results:

• Women preferring Chinese were 53% less likely to have undergone a mammogram in the past year compared to English preferrers (p < .01).
• Older women (≥75 years) and uninsured women showed significantly lower adherence rates (p < .0001 and p < .05, respectively).
• Age and insurance status emerged as significant predictors of screening mammogram utilization.

Conclusions:

• Linguistic appropriateness is vital for improving breast cancer screening adherence in non-English speaking, medically underserved women.
• Targeted interventions are needed to address disparities in mammogram screening.
• Further research should focus on older adults (≥75) and uninsured populations to enhance screening mammogram use.