Afghan immigrant women's knowledge and behaviors around breast cancer screening

Background This community-based participatory research was conducted to provide a preliminary understanding of how Afghan women in Northern California view their breast health. Methods Results were based on demographics and in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 53 non-English-speaking first-generation immigrant Muslim Afghan women 40years and older. Results Findings showed low levels of knowledge and awareness about breast cancer and low utilization of early-detection examinations for breast cancer among participants. Conclusions The findings also suggest a significant need for a community-based breast health education program that recognizes the unique social, cultural, and religious dynamics of the Muslim Afghan community. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.