Mental health and breast cancer screening utilization among older Hispanic women

ABSTRACT

Considerable racial and ethnic differences exist in the way the burden of cancer is experienced in the United States for older Hispanic women. This study utilized data from the 2008 wave of the Health and Retirement Study to investigate the mental health factors associated with older Hispanic women’s participation in breast cancer screening services. Logistic regression models were used. Findings indicated that anxiety and positive affect were associated with a greater likelihood of participating in breast cancer screening. Despite ongoing national conversations, evidence indicates there is agreement that underserved women need to be screened, particularly the older Hispanic population.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer screening
• emotions
• Hispanics
• mammograms
• older adults

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Hartford Doctoral Fellows in Geriatric Social Work Program and the Simmons College School of Social Work.