Cancer Screening, Knowledge, and Fatalism Among Chinese, Korean, and South Asian Residents of New York City.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Asian New York City (NYC) residents have the lowest cancer screening uptake across race and ethnicity. Few studies have examined screening differences across Asian ethnic subgroups in NYC. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey data were analyzed using multivariable logistic and multinomial regression analyses. Differences among Chinese, Korean, and South Asian adults in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake; breast and CRC screening knowledge; and cancer fatalism were examined. Associations between breast and CRC screening knowledge and their uptake were also assessed along with associations between cancer fatalism and breast, cervical, and CRC screening uptake. RESULTS: Korean women reported 0.52 (95%CI 0.31, 0.89) times lower odds of Pap test uptake compared to Chinese women; South Asian adults had 0.43 (95%CI 0.24, 0.79) times lower odds of CRC screening uptake compared to Chinese adults. Korean adults reported 1.80 (95%CI 1.26, 2.58) times higher odds of knowing the correct age to begin having mammograms compared to Chinese adults; and South Asian adults had 0.67 (95%CI 0.47, 0.96) times lower odds of knowing the correct age to begin CRC screening compared to Chinese adults. Korean adults had 0.37 (95%CI 0.27, 0.53) times lower odds of reporting cancer fatalism compared to Chinese adults. CONCLUSIONS: Low cancer screening uptake among Asian American adults, low screening knowledge, and high cancer fatalism were found. Cancer screening uptake, knowledge, and fatalism varied by ethnic subgroup. IMPACT Findings indicate the need for ethnic-specific cultural and linguistic tailoring for future cancer screening interventions.