Indian American women in the U.S. are reportedly underscreened for breast cancer, experiencing lower screening rates and higher rates of advanced-stage diagnoses compared to non-Hispanic white women, according to recent studies. These women are 30% less likely to undergo breast cancer screening, and 20% are diagnosed at advanced stages, versus 15% for non-Hispanic white women. Furthermore, research indicates that 56% of Indian American women had never had a mammogram, compared to 28% of non-Hispanic white women.
Factors contributing to these disparities include cultural beliefs, such as patriarchal family structures and prioritizing family over personal health, alongside shame and fear of body exposure. Communication and language barriers, limited health literacy, and lack of insurance also play significant roles. Dr. Sona Shah, an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, noted, 'We have this issue in America where we have many different cultures living side-by-side, and we try to apply a blanket solution for everyone. But it doesn't really work.'
Consequently, Indian American women often face worse prognoses due to late-stage diagnoses. Medical Director of Cancer Services at Virtua Health, Dr. Jyoti Shah, and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Rupal Christine Gupta, advocate for culturally sensitive interventions. These include community outreach, education, utilizing community health workers, and addressing specific barriers to improve screening and early detection among this demographic.
