Summary
This fact sheet examines cancer screening rates for several Asian ethnic subgroups -- Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, South Asian, and Cambodian -- to identify specific populations at risk for not receiving preventive care. In addition, cancer screening rates are also examined for individuals with limited English proficiency to determine the effects of language as a barrier to access. Using data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey, the study finds considerable variations in receipt of cancer screening tests among the various ethnic groups and that language can often be a significant barrier to receiving preventive care. The authors recommend policies to address these findings. Some of the key findings include:
- Cambodian and Korean women have rates of screening for breast cancer that are far below the average rate for California.
- Less than 40% of Cambodian and Korean men and women over the age of 50 report a recent colorectal cancer screening.
- Among Chinese women, the proportion reporting a Pap test is significantly lower for limited English proficient (LEP) women than for English proficient women.
- While 63.8% of English proficient Korean women report a mammogram in the past two years, this rate drops to 45.4% among those with limited English proficiency.
Funding for the research and the development of this fact sheet was provided by a grant from the California Endowment.