The Association between Cultural Views of Cancer and Colorectal Cancer Screening Behavior among Asian Americans in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between Asian cultural views of cancer and colorectal cancer screening behavior among Asian Americans in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Methods: A cross-sectional examination was conducted of 858 Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese adults. Logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between Asian cultural views (using 16-items from a previously developed scale) and colorectal cancer screening (self-reported yes/no). Results: When examining 10-point increases in continuous cultural views scores, a 12% (OR=0.88; 95% CI:0.82-0.97) and 7% (OR=0.93; 95% CI:0.87-1.00) decreased likelihood that an individual received screening were observed for herb use and self-care scores respectively. When examining categorical cultural views scores (Asian, Neutral, and Western), herb use and self-care were significantly associated with screening and showed a gradient effect after adjusting for age. Conclusion: Findings suggest that culturally appropriate interventions that address specific cultural views of cancer can potentially increase colorectal cancer screening among Asian Americans.