Research Findings: Ana Abraído-Lanza

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Latina women in the United States.  Mammography screening is key to early detection of breast cancer for effective treatment of the disease.  There are mixed findings, however, on the predictors of breast cancer screening among Latinas. Whereas research on acculturation suggests that Latino cultural values or beliefs (such as fatalism) and are associated with decreased screening, other research indicates that low socioeconomic status and structural factors, such as lack of access to health care, create barriers to breast cancer screening for Latinas. 

There is great debate on the extent to which acculturation and fatalism affect breast cancer screening among Latinas relative to other social or structural factors or logistical barriers.  Moreover, few studies have developed and tested comprehensive theoretical models of the most important predictors of screening.  To address these gaps in the literature, Abraído-Lanza, Martins, Shelton, & Flórez (2015) tested a theoretical model of social and structural (socioeconomic status and access to health care) and cultural factors (acculturation and fatalism) as correlates of mammography screening among Dominican Latinas, a group that has been under-studied.  To further expand prior work, they also examined other factors identified as potential impediments to mammography screening, specifically, perceived barriers, assessed with a scale measuring psychosocial (e.g., embarrassment, pain), and logistical barriers (e.g., not knowing how to get a mammogram).

Data were collected via a face-to-face survey interview with 318 Dominican women aged 40 years or over.  The results of the analysis indicated that fatalistic beliefs were not associated with mammogram screening.  These findings demonstrate that, counter to the cancer fatalism literature, these beliefs do not necessarily deter women from being screened.  Instead, the strongest predictor of decreased screening was perceived barriers.   The results of this study can help direct future research, intervention programs and clinical practices.  Possible avenues for screening interventions include intensifying public health campaigns and use of personalized messages to address barriers to screening.  Results add to a limited body of research on Dominicans, who constitute the fifth largest Latino group in the United States. 

Abraído-Lanza, A.F., Martins, M.C., Shelton, R.C. & Flórez, K.R. (2015). Breast cancer screening among Dominican Latinas:  A closer look at fatalism and other social and cultural factors.  Health Education & Behavior, 42(5) 633-641. Read the full article here.