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Cancer prevention behaviors and socioeconomic status among Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites in a rural population in the United States

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Socioeconomic status is explored as a predictor of differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites in cancer prevention behavior.

METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, in-person interviews (n = 1795) were conducted in a population-based random sample of adults in 20 communities with a high proportion of Hispanics.

RESULTS: Hispanics were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to ever have had cervical (p < 0.001), breast (p = 0.007), or colorectal cancer (FOBT p = 0.008; sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy p < 0.002) screening. After adjusting for socioeconomic status (education and having health insurance), only differences in cervical cancer remained significant (p = 0.024). After adjusting for socioeconomic status, Hispanics had a significantly higher intake of fruits and vegetables per day (4.84 servings) than non-Hispanic Whites (3.84 servings) (p < 0.001); and fat behavior score was marginally significant after adjustment for socioeconomic status (p = 0.053). Significantly fewer Hispanics were current smokers than non-Hispanic Whites (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: There is only limited support for the hypothesis that socioeconomic status is a major determinant of some cancer-related behaviors; specifically, socioeconomic status is related to mammography and colorectal screening, but not cervical cancer, dietary behavior, or smoking.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Beti Thompson, Gloria D. Coronado, Cam C. Solomon, Dale F. McClerran, Marian L. Neuhouser & Ziding Feng

  2. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Beti Thompson & Cam C. Solomon

  3. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, MP-702, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA

    Beti Thompson

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  1. Beti Thompson
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  2. Gloria D. Coronado
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  5. Marian L. Neuhouser
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Thompson, B., Coronado, G.D., Solomon, C.C. et al. Cancer prevention behaviors and socioeconomic status among Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites in a rural population in the United States. Cancer Causes Control 13, 719–728 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020280427712

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