Cancer Screening Utilization Among Immigrant Women in Miami, Florida

Background: Routine cancer screening for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers reduces disease-associated morbidity and mortality through early detection and treatment. Lack of access to health care is a major barrier to screening in immigrant populations. Objectives: We aimed to characterize compliance with national cancer screening guidelines and to assess predictors of screening compliance among women residing in each of two distinct immigrant communities in Miami-Dade County-Little Haiti (Haitian) and Hialeah (Cuban). Methods: Through a collaborative community-based participatory research (CBPR) initiative, researchers, key community stakeholders, and community members developed the study design. Data were collected from a total of 234 women via a rapid assessment survey administered by community health workers (CHWs). Results: Compliance with national screening guidelines for breast, cervical, and colorectal screening was low in both community samples relative to national averages, and for cervical cancer screening was significantly lower in Little Haiti than Hialeah (p < .01). In addition, knowledge of cervical cancer etiology was significantly greater in Hialeah than in Little Haiti (p < .01). Health insurance and having a usual source of health care were significant correlates of cancer screening. Conclusion: Given the disparities in cancer screening between our samples and the larger sociodemographic groups in which they are often included, targeted approaches that address structural barriers (lack of health insurance or usual source of care) may improve access to cancer screening among recent immigrants. Community partnerships may be essential in facilitating the interventions needed to overcome cancer-related disparities in these groups.