Mexican American Women in a Rural Area and Barriers to Their Ability to Enact Protective Behaviors Against Breast Cancer

Abstract

Mexican American women in rural areas have less chance of surviving breast cancer than women in other ethnic populations (Boughton, 2000; Herman, 1996). This research sought to determine why such women do or do not enact behaviors to help them protect themselves from breast cancer. The extended parallel process model (Witte, 1994) provided a guiding theoretical basis for understanding perceptions, and 48 women, in discussion groups and surveys, were asked about self-exams, physician exams, and mammograms. Findings demonstrated that the women had high perceived self-efficacy and susceptibility regarding breast cancer but did not perceive it as severe (i.e., that it could cause death). These perceptions were positively and negatively related to behaviors that protect against breast cancer. Also, several barriers, such as lack of transportation, lack of access to health care, and lack of knowledge regarding breast self-exams, were found.