Dignity, Shame, Stigma, or Ignorance in Avoidance of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings among Women of Caribbean Descent

Objectives: Black Caribbean women have a high prevalence of late-stage breast and cervical cancer diagnosis and a low prevalence of screenings.This study explored barriers to breast and cervical cancer screenings, beliefs, and practices, and how they could overcome those barriers.Design: Focus group discussions, audiotaped, transcribed in verbatim, and content analyzed along with context using thematic arrangement.Results: Of 42 attendees, 37 participated in three focus groups with majority foreign-born; mean age of 50 years; 68% were Christian, and others Muslim.Overall, 32% of 42 focus group attendees reported being screened for cancer.Barriers to screenings were fear of discomfort, finding something wrong "nerve-racking", doctor not recommending, taking time off from work, and family commitment.Among Afro-Caribbean women, there was the misconception of no risk of reproductive cancer after menopause and no need to screen.The staggering 75% of Muslim women participants mentioned that they never had a Pap smear test in their lives.Conclusion: Lack of understanding of their own cancer risk and trust in the health system; dignity, stigma, shame, and ignorance may play roles in avoidance of cancer screening.