Minorities often distrust breast cancer screening

Distrust of healthcare providers and may contribute to the low levels of compliance for breast cancer screening among minorities.

A study by Michigan State University of 341 women, including African American, Arab American, and Hispanic women, found that more than two-thirds of those subjects believe that healthcare organizations sometimes mislead or even purposely deceive patients. The study was presented at the 2009 American Association for Cancer Research Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Carefree, AZ.

Another study, in the Journal of Women’s Health, assessed the attitudes toward screening of 150 lesbian/bisexual and 400 heterosexual women. It revealed negative beliefs about mammography, lower levels of provider trust, and less perceived risk of breast cancer among lesbian/bisexual women (2009;18[2]:177-185).