Giving Voice to the Unheard: Perceptions, Practices & Beliefs About Breast Cancer and Screening Among Ethnic Minority Women From the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) Region in Edmonton, Alberta.

• Author / Creator

  Eldol, Dalia

•   Breast cancer is one of the major causes of death among women in Canada and globally.    In Canada, screening has been found to be successful in decreasing morbidity and mortality (Canadian Cancer Society, 2015). Use of breast cancer screening services by immigrant women however is limited (Bowser, Mrqusee, Kousa, & Auton, 2017). Cultural values and religion often shape health decisions, and failure to recognize this diversity results in breast cancer and screening disparities among ethnic minorities (Aziza, 2014). Studies on accessing breast cancer screening for particular cultural groups have been rare in Canada (Bowser et al., 2017). Using focused ethnography, this study examined how women from the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region perceive and practise breast health, breast cancer risk and screening, and explored barriers to breast cancer screening. Six focus groups were conducted with six participants in each group, and the results were analyzed thematically. Three broad themes were identified: knowledge about breast health, cancer risk and screening services; barriers to maintaining breast health and screening; and potential solutions for overcoming barriers. The findings showed the participants have quite limited knowledge about breast cancer screening practices in Alberta and there remain multiple barriers to screening. The study contributes to the development of culturally appropriate interventions to overcome barriers and motivate MENA women to use breast cancer screening services.  
  

• Subjects / Keywords

  • The Health Action Model
  • Arab Muslim Women
  • immigration
  • Barriers to Cancer Screening
  • Social Constructionist
  • Breast Cancer
  • Culturally Sensitive Interventions
  • Islam & Health
  • Focus Groups. Ethnography.

• Graduation date

  Fall 2019

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-ey59-1w20

• License

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