Breast cancer screening among Chamorro women in California

Background: This study evaluated breast cancer-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors among Chamorros in San Diego, California and compared mammogram use between those affiliated with the military and others. Methods: A survey was administered to 110 self-reported Chamorro women. Inclusion criteria included being self-reported Chamorro woman >40 years with no history of breast cancer. Approximately equal proportions of participants with (52%) and without (48%) military affiliation were recruited to test the assumption that use of mammography differed between the two groups. Descriptive statistics and bivarate analyses were conducted. Results: Of the 110 respondents, 42% had at least some college education, 41% had household incomes of at least $50,000, and 87% reported having health insurance. Approximately 93% reporting ever having a mammogram and 75% reported having it within the past 2 years. The difference between mammography use among women with and without military affiliation was not significant (85% versus 72%; p = 0.11). However, women with military insurance (95%) were more likely than others (74%) to have had a mammogram within that time frame (p = .05). Other factors associated with higher mammography use included reporting better access to medical care (p = .03), receiving a recommendation for mammography from a health care provider (p = .002), and knowledge that cancer can be cured if detected early (p = .01) and that women should get a mammogram yearly (p = .01). Conclusion: Chamorro women in San Diego have relatively high rates of mammography use. This finding may be due, in part, to the relatively high rates of health insurance coverage (particularly military insurance) among these women.