Developing a spiritually based breast cancer screening intervention for Native Hawaiian women.

Ka‘opua, L.S., & Anngela, L. (2005).  Developing a spiritually based breast cancer screening intervention for native Hawaiian women.  Cancer Control Journal; Cancer, Culture, and literacy Supplement. 12:97-99.  CONTACT lskaopua@hawaii.edu

Objectives. Although cancer screenings are widely available today, Native Hawaiian women, who have the highest rates of breast cancer in Hawai’i, have very low participation in mammography and do not realize the benefits of early detection.  This study addresses the systemic barriers of cancer screening from the perspective of Native Hawaiian women.

Design. Native Hawaiian breast cancer survivors shared their cancer experiences through focus groups in five groups of ten (50 women total).  Focus groups were led by female facilitators trained in research protocols.  Also, culturally appropriate methods were used to collect the data.

Results. We found that screening was generally perceived as beneficial but potentially distressing, and the lack of accessibility and culturally acceptable services are the main factors that were said to cause this perspective towards cancer screening.  The focus groups expressed collective norms in women’s preferences for (1) family oriented programs that aim to increase awareness of screening among younger female relatives, partners, and extended family, (2) enhanced access to screening through church-based promotions, (3) spiritually sensitive programs involving church leaders, and (4) educational approaches that include motivational stories by culturally similar breast cancer survivors.

Conclusion.  There was a lot of support from the members of these focus groups for spiritually based breast cancer screening for Native Hawaiian women.  However, the findings are restricted by some limitations in the study.  The use of a convenience sample resulted  in a majority of elderly women and a group that was more likely to participate in organized activities including screening programs.  Therefore, the findings in this study are not representative of all Native Hawaiian women at risk for breast cancer.