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Colorectal cancer screening among Latinos from U.S. cities along the Texas–Mexico border

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are comparatively low for U.S. Hispanics. To learn more about the factors influencing CRC screening among Hispanics living along the U.S.–Mexico border, 12 focus groups were conducted with Hispanic men and women aged 50 years and older in three Texas counties; Cameron County (Brownsville), Webb County (Laredo), and El Paso County, (El Paso). The focus group guide contained questions about health care behavior, knowledge about CRC, experiences with cancer, and factors that influence CRC screening. A total of 92 individuals participated with the majority aged 50–69 (75%). Twenty percent were born in the United States and 51% had lived in the United States for more than 20 years. Participants had low levels of education, income, and insurance coverage. The analysis revealed several overarching and contextual themes relating to knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and emotions about cancer and CRC screening. A prevalent theme that emerged from all groups was frustration and a lack of confidence in the U.S. healthcare system. Few participants had been advised by their providers to obtain CRC screening. Lack of patient knowledge about colorectal cancer and screening appeared to be a critical factor influencing screening. Themes about death and pain due to cancer were prevalent as were cultural factors such as machismo and embarrassment. System level barriers such as cost, medical insurance and transportation also impacted screening. These findings suggest that strategies are needed to educate Hispanic residents of border communities about CRC and to motivate them to undergo CRC screening.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by cooperative agreements (CDC PRC SIP 2-02U48 CCU6009653, CDC PRC SIP 16-04U48 CCU6009653, CDC PRC SIP 18-04U48 DCCU6009653). Dr. Vernon was supported by NCI CA97263 and CDC PRC SIP 19-04U48 DP000057. Dr. Bains was supported by NCI Grant U56-CA0999038.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, UCT-7000 Fannin, suite 2558, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Maria E. Fernandez, Rosario Wippold & Sally W. Vernon

  2. Department of Health Disparities Research – Center for Research on Minority Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2450 Holcombe, TMCI, 3300 Unit 639, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Isabel Torres-Vigil

  3. School of Public Health El Paso Regional Campus, 1100 North Stanton, suite 110, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA

    Theresa Byrd

  4. The University of Texas at Brownsville and Southmost Texas College, 80 Fort Brown, South 265, Brownsville, TX, 78520, USA

    Diamond Freeberg

  5. Cancer Physicians Associates, PA, 1602 Rock Prairie Road, suite 130A, College Station, TX, 77845, USA

    Yadvindera Bains

  6. Doctors Regional Cancer Treatment Center, 10700 Mc Pherson Road, Laredo, TX, 78045, USA

    Jessica Guajardo

  7. Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 4776 Bufford Hwy, NE (K-55), Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA

    Steven S. Coughlin

Authors
  1. Maria E. Fernandez
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  2. Rosario Wippold
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  3. Isabel Torres-Vigil
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  4. Theresa Byrd
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  5. Diamond Freeberg
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  6. Yadvindera Bains
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  7. Jessica Guajardo
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  8. Steven S. Coughlin
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  9. Sally W. Vernon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria E. Fernandez.

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The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Fernandez, M.E., Wippold, R., Torres-Vigil, I. et al. Colorectal cancer screening among Latinos from U.S. cities along the Texas–Mexico border. Cancer Causes Control 19, 195–206 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9085-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9085-6

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