Mammography Satisfaction
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States and ranks second among cancer deaths in women.1 Because of this, early detection is key to survival. American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have the poorest recorded 5-year cancer survival rates of any ethnic group and the lowest (or near-lowest) screening rates for major cancers.2 Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for AI/AN women; 2 and while rates have decreased in other US ethnic groups, they have increased among AI/AN women.3 Mammograms are recommended annually for average risk women starting at age 40, 2 and AI/AN women have some of the lowest screening rates. Through this study, we are trying to understand the low rates of mammography among AI/AN women. We believe that the experiences and satisfaction surrounding mammography for AI/AN women are different from that of women of other ethnic groups because of the following factors: 1) traditional AI/AN culture, 2) the relationship between AI/AN women with Indian Health Service and White practitioners, and 3) IHS systems in place as they relate to scheduling and reimbursement of mammograms. The overall goal of this project is to use an approach that considers socio-cultural characteristics to identify and understand the mammography experiences and satisfaction of AI/AN women and to develop a culturally-tailored AI/AN mammography satisfaction survey. Thus far, focus groups have been conducted to discuss mammography satisfaction and determine differences in mammography experiences and satisfaction between AI/AN women and other racial/ethnic groups. This work will help us develop our survey and ultimately will lay the groundwork for a culturally-tailored mammography intervention for the AI/AN community.