Approximately 3 million women in the United States are living with breast cancer. An estimated 1 million women do not yet know they have the disease (NBCC, 2001). African American women have the highest breast cancer mortality rate of any population group in the U. S. Among women with private health insurance, only 27% of African American women receive mammograms. The literature is limited with regard to studies that consider barriers to breast cancer screening among ethnic minority women for whom socioeconomics and access are not a concern. Disparity in the use of breast cancer screening could be related to women’s feelings about experiences related to their breasts. Nursing’s philosophy for a holistic approach to caring for the entire person should include considering the possible influence of the past on current health behaviors. Objective: Explore and describe African American women’s experiences and feelings about their breasts, their breast cancer screening behaviors and ascertain if feelings about experiences related to the breasts can be associated with women’s current breast cancer screening behaviors. Design: Exploratory, descriptive narrative inquiry guided by critical social theory. Population: College graduate African American women, 40 to 64 years of age with health insurance and no personal history of breast cancer. Methods: Two focus group discussions with four lay consultants to share their perspectives about parts of the research process and their insights regarding the researcher’s interpretation of the study findings. Twelve women will write in journals about experiences related to their breasts and their breast cancer screening (or lack of) behaviors. Two audio taped interviews for clarification, elaboration and verification of journal entries. Preliminary Findings: Having a mammography is a negative experience, mothers do not talk to their daughters about developmental changes or cancer screening specific to women, health care professionals do not explain cancer screening procedures.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003