ASPO Abstracts
Cancer screening behaviors and barriers among Koreans in Los Angeles County
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
To address the needs of Koreans in Los Angeles County (LAC), we wanted to determine differences in cancer
screening rates for breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal, and understand barriers to care. To get a more
localized picture of cancer screening compliance among Koreans in LAC, a culturally adapted survey was
conducted. We developed a survey with input from Korean community leaders. The survey for females has 31
questions and for males has 30 questions. It covers screening behavior, medical history, and health care access.
The surveys were printed in the Korean language and collected at nine different faith-based venues during a five-
month period. A free cancer education workshop was offered post survey. A total of 381 Korean Americans >= 18
yrs who reside in LAC completed the survey. Compliance rates among age eligible participants for cancer
screening ranged from 41% to 65%; for mammograms (41%), for Pap tests (43%), for prostate (23%), for
colorectal cancer (65%). Never screened rates of breast cancer (39%), cervical cancer (43%) and prostate cancer
(57%) were higher than noncompliance rates. Noncompliance of three cancers ranged from 14% to 20%;
mammograms (20%), for Pap tests (13%), for prostate (20%). For colorectal cancer, the compliance rate (65%) is
the highest among four cancers (28% Neverscreened). The most common barriers for not getting screened were:
1) not feeling sick, 2) no health insurance and 3) no time. Speaking the same language as the primary provider
and financial status were not considered barriers for cancer screening. Although 80% participants answered that
they have a personal doctor or medical provider, never screened and noncompliant rates were high. Of
participants, 70% have a college or higher education level and 68% are first-generation in the US. We know that
faith-based organizations can increase screening behaviors among parishioners and can be an effective avenue
for improving health outcomes.Through the engagement with elders, we formed an extensive network of faith-
based organizations and created partnerships with FQHCs with the goal of improving cancer screening
compliance among Korean Americans in LAC.
Keywords: Koreans, Asians, Screening