Racial/ethnic disparities in annual mammogram compliance among households in Little Haiti, Miami-Dade County, Florida: An observational study

Social determinants of health and health inequities in breast cancer screening: a scoping review

Introduction

This scoping review aims to highlight key social determinants of health associated with breast cancer screening behavior in United States women aged ≥40  years old, identify public and private databases with SDOH data at city, state, and national levels, and share lessons learned from United States based observational studies in addressing SDOH in underserved women influencing breast cancer screening behaviors.

Methods

The Arksey and O'Malley York methodology was used as guidance for this review: (1) identifying research questions; (2) searching for relevant studies; (3) selecting studies relevant to the research questions; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting results.

Results

The 72 included studies were published between 2013 and 2023. Among the various SDOH identified, those related to socioeconomic status (n = 96) exhibited the highest frequency. The Health Care Access and Quality category was reported in the highest number of studies (n = 44; 61%), showing its statistical significance in relation to access to mammography. Insurance status was the most reported sub-categorical factor of Health Care Access and Quality.

Discussion

Results may inform future evidence-based interventions aiming to address the underlying factors contributing to low screening rates for breast cancer in the United States.

Breast cancer survivorship experiences among Black women

BACKGROUND

Black women experience significant disparities in breast cancer across the care continuum, including survivorship. Ensuring that Black women obtain high-quality follow-up care is critical but understudied. This study was aimed at understanding the experiences and needs of Black women during breast cancer survivorship.

METHODS

Black patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer within the past 5 years were invited to participate in a focus group and complete a survey. Focus groups examined the following: (1) the transition from active treatment to survivorship; (2) interactions with health care providers; (3) survivorship experiences, information needs, and preferences; and (4) existing educational materials. Results were thematically coded and analyzed for main themes. Surveys collected information on sociodemographics, health care experiences, quality of life, lifestyle, and education needs.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 53 participants, 43 of whom completed a survey and participated in one of 11 focus groups. The median age was 54 years, 44% had private insurance, 81% were English speaking, and 86% had completed their treatment more than a year before. Participants identified the importance of relationships with health care providers, gaps in survivorship care, experiences with cancer-related symptoms, challenges with mental health, worry about recurrence, body image, cancer financial toxicity, and coping through religion and spirituality. Unmet needs were centered around preparation for long-term symptoms, diet and physical activity, emotional support, and more explanations of information resources. Participants reported preferences for educational videos, personal stories, and culturally relevant content.

CONCLUSIONS

Some Black breast cancer survivors may have specific challenges and preferences. Supportive interventions that address these concerns can be responsive and help to ameliorate disparities.

Health inequities in mammography: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this scoping review is to chart the existing evidence on health inequities related to mammography and identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future research.

METHODS

This scoping review followed guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. In July 2022, we searched PubMed and Ovid Embase for published articles on mammography screening, published between 2011 and 2021, written in English, and examining at least one health inequity as defined by the NIH. Screening and charting were both performed in a masked, duplicate manner. Frequencies of each health inequity examined were analyzed and main findings from each included study were summarized.

RESULTS

Following screening, our sample consisted of 128 studies. Our findings indicate that mammography screening was less likely in historically marginalized groups, patients who live in rural areas, and in women with low income status and education level. Significant research gaps were observed regarding the LGBTQ + community and sex and gender. No trends between inequities investigated over time were identified.

DISCUSSION

This scoping review highlights the gaps in inequities research regarding mammography, as well as the limited consensus across findings. To bridge existing research gaps, we recommend research into the following: 1) assessments of physician knowledge on the LGBTQ + community guidelines, 2) tools for health literacy, and 3) culturally competent screening models.

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

This study examines the relationship between language preference and screening mammogram adherence in medically underserved women in New York City. A survey was conducted with 518 women age 40 and over attending breast health education programs in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese), and French. Women who preferred Chinese were 53% less likely to have had a mammogram within the past year compared to women who preferred English (p < .01). Women age 75 and older (p < .0001) and those without insurance (p < .05) were also found to be significantly less likely to have had a screening mammogram compared to women ages 55-74 and those with private insurance, respectively. This research indicates medically underserved women who prefer a non-English language may benefit from linguistically appropriate interventions to improve screening mammogram adherence. Future research should examine appropriateness of breast cancer screening for women age 75 and older and explore ways to improve screening mammogram use in the uninsured population.

Tendency to Breast Cancer Screening Among Rural Women in Southern Iran: A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Analysis of Theory of Planned Behavior

Background:

Early detection of breast cancer is a crucial factor in surviving the disease. This study aimed to investigate the mammography screening based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) among rural women in Fasa and Shiraz cities, Iran.

Methods:

This study is a cross-sectional study performed on 800 female clients referring to rural health centers in Fasa and Shiraz cities in southern Iran in early 2021. The authors decided to send and distribute the electronic questionnaire form through the WhatsApp application in collaboration with the health staff of rural health centers for the people covered by these centers. Data gathering tools were a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, a questionnaire based on constructs of TPB, and behavior of mammography screening. Using the structural equation model (SEM), the TPB constructs and demographic variables were entered into the model. Data analysis was executed employing SPSS software version 26 and Amos version 24 (IBM Co., Ann Arbor, MI, USA). Analyzing the data was carried out using the 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), logistic regression, and structural equation analysis. During data analysis, various model indicators such as the goodness of fit, including comparative fit index (CFI), goodness-of-fit index (GFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and chi-square index/df were evaluated. The significance level in all tests was considered 0.05.

Results:

The knowledge, attitude, and perceived behavioral control were the predictors of intention and behavior of mammography screening among the women. Among demographic variables, age, literacy, being menopausal, cancer in family, city, and ethnicity contribute more to the variance variation in TPB constructs. In this study, 7.2% of Persians, 8% of Qashqai Turks, and 4.5% of Arabs are contemplating going to mammography screening. In total, 6.8% (54 people) of all individuals intended to go mammography screening, and 5.4% (43 people) had a history of mammography screening. Goodness-of-fit indices (χ² = 18.45, df = 10, n = 800, χ²/df = 1.845, RMSEA = 0.032, GFI = 0.90, non-normed fit index (NNFI) = 0.91) of conceptual model of this study indicate the suitability of the model.

Conclusions:

The results of the study indicated that the constructs of the TPB can predict mammography screening behaviors in rural women. It has also demonstrated that mammographic behavior can be improved in rural women using education based on the TPB model, emphasizing critical psychological factors of creating or changing behavior.

Primary care visits increase utilization of evidence-based preventative health measures

BACKGROUND

Primary care visits can serve many purposes and potentially influence health behaviors. Although previous studies suggest that increasing primary care provider numbers may be beneficial, the mechanism responsible for the association is unclear, and have not linked primary care access to specific preventative interventions. We investigated the association between the number of times patients accessed their primary care provider team and the likelihood they received selected preventative health interventions.

METHODS

Patients with complete data sets from Sanford Health were categorized based on the number of primary care visits they received in a specified time period and the preventative health interventions they received. Patient characteristics were used in a propensity analysis to control for variables. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate the likelihood of obtaining preventative measures based on number of primary care visits compared with patients who had no primary care visits during the specified time period.

RESULTS

The likelihood of a patient receiving three specified preventative interventions was increased by 127% for vaccination, 122% for colonoscopy, and 75% for mammography if the patient had ≥ 1 primary care visit per year. More primary care visits correlated with increasing frequency of vaccinations, but increased primary care visits beyond one did not correlate with increasing frequency of mammography or colonoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

One or more primary care visits per year is associated with increased likelihood of specific evidence-based preventative care interventions that improve longitudinal health outcomes and decrease healthcare costs. Increasing efforts to track and increase the number of primary care visits by clinics and health systems may improve patient compliance with select preventative measures.

Examining the association between possessing a regular source of healthcare and adherence with cancer screenings among Haitian households in Little Haiti, Miami-Dade County, Florida

Immigrant minorities regularly experience higher incidence and mortality rates of cancer. Frequently, a variety of social determinants create obstacles for those individuals to get the screenings they need. This is especially true for Haitian immigrants, a particularly vulnerable immigrant population in South Florida, who have been identified as having low cancer screening rates. While Haitian immigrants have some of the lowest cancer screening rates in the country, there is little existing literature that addresses barriers to cancer screenings among the population of Little Haiti in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between having a regular source of healthcare and adherence to recommended cancer screenings in the Little Haiti population of Miami.This secondary analysis utilized data collected from a random-sample, population-based household survey conducted from November 2011 to December 2012 among a geographic area approximating Little Haiti in Miami-Dade County, Florida. A total of 421 households identified as Haitian. The main exposure of interest was whether households possessed a regular source of care. Three separate outcomes were considered: adherence with colorectal cancer screening, mammogram adherence, and Pap smear adherence. Analysis was limited to households who met the age criteria for each outcome of interest. Bivariate associations were examined using the chi square test and Fisher exact test. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).After adjusting for the head of household's education and household insurance status, households without a regular source of care were significantly less likely to adhere with colorectal cancer screening (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.14-0.80) or mammograms (OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11-0.75). Households with insurance coverage gaps were significantly less likely to adhere with mammograms (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.17-0.97) or Pap smears (OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.13-0.58).Our study explored adherence with multiple cancer screenings. We found a strong association between possessing a regular source of care and adherence with colorectal cancer screening and mammogram adherence. Targeted approaches to improving access to regular care may improve adherence to cancer screening adherence among this unique immigrant population.

Disparities in Cancer Screening Practices among Minority and Underrepresented Populations

OBJECTIVES

To review current evidence about cancer screening challenges that lead to cancer health disparities in minority populations.

DATA SOURCES

Research reports, published journal articles, web sites, and clinical practice observations.

CONCLUSION

There are significant disparities that exist in cancer screening practices among racial and ethnic minority and underrepresented populations, resulting in disproportionately higher cancer mortality rates in these populations.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses are positioned to lead in educating, promoting, and bringing awareness to cancer screening recommendationsand current cancer prevention guidelines for at-risk individuals, and help them to implement these guidelines to reduce incidence and mortality.