Pathways to early cancer detection in the multiethnic population of the San Francisco Bay Area

The Pathways project studied the relationship of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and culture to breast and cervical cancer screening. A multidisciplinary, multicultural team of investigators assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women from five race/ethnic groups (N = 4,228) and their barriers to screening utilization. A planning framework guided the development of interventions and analyses of the similarities and differences in screening behaviors across race/ethnic groups. Baseline data for women ages 18 to 74 years showed that levels of screening were higher than national averages for Latina, white, and black women but lower for Chinese and Vietnamese women. Analyses revealed the importance of education and insurance in obtaining recommended screening regardless of race/ethnicity. However, race, ethnicity, and culture are important to the tailoring of effective interventions.