Screening mammography among Chinese Canadian women

Background: Though breast cancer is the most common malignancy among Chinese women, screening mammography is underutilized. This study examined barriers and facilitators of screening mammography among Chinese Canadian women. Methods: Using community-based sampling, Chinese women in British Columbia were interviewed in 1999 about multiple preventive health behaviours. We included 213 women in the mammography analysis; main outcome measures were ever having a mammogram and routine mammography. Results: Seventy-five percent of women 50 to 79 years old reported ever having had a mammogram, and 53% had two or more mammograms within the last five years. Receiving a recommendation for a mammogram from medical personnel or from a family member, and believing that cancer cannot be prevented by faith were independently associated with both screening outcomes. Conclusions: A multifaceted approach to screening mammography promotion in Chinese Canadian women is suggested. Interventions that include education of and by medical providers and family members should be considered.