S. Jirojwong et L. Manderson, Beliefs and behaviors about Pap and breast self-examination among Thai immigrant women in Brisbane, Australia, WOMEN HEAL, 33(3-4), 2001, pp. 47-66
Regular screening is an important preventive method in reducing morbidity a
nd mortality from cervical and breast cancer. In 1998, a cross-sectional st
udy was conducted in Brisbane, Australia, among 145 Thai immigrant women, t
o explore cultural and social factors related to their use of Pap smear tes
ts and breast self-examination (BSE). The study aimed at describing women's
beliefs and perceptions about the body, breast and cervical cancer, and th
eir perceptions of the causes of the diseases. It explored the women's perc
eption of the severity and the effects of both cancers on aspects of patien
ts' lives, and their chance of developing both cancers. The Thai immigrant
women explained the causes of breast and cervical cancer using both traditi
onal beliefs and medical knowledge. They perceived that both cancers affect
a patient's health and her daily activities. Some women believed that they
would develop cervical cancer if their perineurn or vulva was "dirty." Som
e believed that they would have breast cancer because they had a history of
benign tumor or cyst of a breast. Forty-four percent of the women had bien
nial Pap smears in the past five years and only 25% conducted BSE monthly i
n the past two years. Information relating to perceived barriers to underta
ke regular cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings and other health be
liefs can be applied by health care personnel to increase Thai immigrant wo
men's preventive health behaviors. 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All righ
ts reserved.