Breast and cervical cancer screening among Korean American elderly women

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of breast and cervical cancer screening tests among Korean American elderly women. This study examined the effects of individual socio-demographic background, acculturation level (e.g., proportion of life spent in the US, spoken English proficiency), health status and access to health care on uptake of mammography and Pap smear tests in the past 2 years. Subjects were 130 Korean American women aged 60 and older living in the Greater Metropolitan Baltimore Area. A cross-sectional face-to-face interview was conducted. The 2-year prevalence was only 35% for mammography and 29% for Pap smear tests. In multiple logistic regression analysis, educational attainment, government support, multiple chronic conditions, and routine checkups were associated with having mammography. Age, acculturation and insurance were associated with having a Pap test. Taking advantage of the positive influence of identified covariates may increase the effectiveness of cancer control interventions among Korean American elderly women.