Perceptions of breast cancer screening programs and breast health among immigrant women: Qualitative study in Alberta.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine how women who have emigrated from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region perceive breast cancer risk and screening in Canada and how they approach breast health, and to explore barriers to breast cancer screening in this population. DESIGN: Focused ethnography. SETTING: Edmonton, Alta. PARTICIPANTS: Women who were born in MENA countries (eg, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria) and had immigrated to Canada less than 5 years prior to study recruitment and lived in Edmonton, Alta. METHODS: Six focus groups were conducted over a 6-week period in July and August 2018 with 6 participants in each group (N=36); results were analyzed thematically. MAIN FINDINGS: Three broad themes were identified knowledge about breast health, cancer risk, and screening services; barriers to maintaining breast health and to screening; and potential solutions for overcoming these barriers. Findings indicated participants have limited knowledge about breast cancer screening practices in Alberta and that multiple barriers to screening remain. CONCLUSION: This study can help inform the development of culturally appropriate interventions to overcome barriers and to motivate women from MENA countries to use breast cancer screening.