Racial Disparities in Cancer Screening Among Women with Chronic Joint Pain

Authors

Edith M. Williams, University of South CarolinaFollow
Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, University of South Carolina
Christopher Purdy, University of South Carolina
Adrianne Ransom, University of South Carolina
Judith Anderson, University of South Carolina

Keywords

African American women; Breast — Cancer; Cancer – Prevention; Cervix uteri — Cancer; Chronic pain in women; Discrimination in medical care

Disciplines

Community-Based Research | Health Services Research | Inequality and Stratification | Medicine and Health | Public Health | Public Health Education and Promotion | Race and Ethnicity | Vital and Health Statistics

Abstract

Chronic pain related disorders and breast and cervical cancer are more prevalent among African-American women compared with non-Hispanic White women. However, few studies address how racial differences in the context of comorbidity may compound these disparities. This study used secondary analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to assess racial differences in breast and cervical cancer screening and patient education among adult women with chronic joint pain conditions. Statistical analyses included chi-square and independent samples t-tests. African-American women compared with non-Hispanic White women were less likely to receive a pap smear or mammogram within the last two years and receive patient education (p<0.01). Due to competing demands, women with chronic joint pain may not receive preventive services. The results of this study can be used to formulate interventions and evaluate approaches to reduce racial disparities in outpatient service delivery in terms of continuity and scope of care.

Recommended Citation

Williams, Edith M.; Tumiel-Berhalter, Laurene; Purdy, Christopher; Ransom, Adrianne; and Anderson, Judith (2010) "Racial Disparities in Cancer Screening Among Women with Chronic Joint Pain," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol4/iss1/1