Cancer screening among Vietnamese in Hawaii.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of utilization of cancer screening services by Vietnamese in Hawaii, who had sought medical care from 1996 through 2000. METHODS: A chart review of 952 adult Vietnamese patients was performed. RESULTS: Of all eligible women, 52% and 26% had Papanicolaou test and mammogram, respectively. Among men age 45 and over, 8.4% had prostate-specific antigen test and 3.4% had digital rectal exam. Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy were not utilized by patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the use of cancer screening tests by Vietnamese immigrants in Hawaii. Our findings of lower utilization rates in cancer screening by both male and female strongly support efforts to educate and promote preventive health for this population.