Immigrant grandmothers’ and mothers-in-law’s cancer literacy within their family context

ABSTRACT

Data from focus groups held in Montréal (Canada) with 13 women born in Cameroon, Colombia, and Democratic Republic of Congo were used to explore cancer knowledge among immigrant grandmothers and mothers-in-law and their influence over family cancer-preventative practices. Thematic analysis identified the following leading themes: cancer literacy and influence over family cancer preventative and early detection practices, cancer literacy in relation to family health behaviors, and barriers to accessing health services. Perceived external causes of cancer and its prevention are countered by healthy eating and exercises. Cancer literacy was contextualized by the development of women’s ways of being and doing.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer literacy
• immigrant women
• qualitative research

Funding

This study was supported by funding from Groupe de recherche Migration et ethnicité dans les interventions de santé et de service sociaux (METISSS), Seed Grant, CSSS de la Montagne, Montréal - Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux, Québec, Canada.