Congress Abstracts 2004

19

BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM: PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY SENSITIVE CARE TO VIETNAMESE WOMEN IN GREATER BOSTON. Marybeth Singer, MS, APRN, BC, AOCN^®, Barbara Bond, LICSW, EdD, Leah Moynihan, MSN, RNC, and Cate Mullen, MSN, RN, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA; Lan Ngheim, Vietnamese American Civic Center, Dorchester, MA; and Rachel Buchsbaum, MD, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA.

Breast and cervical cancer pose significant health risks to women in the United States. For women from underserved populations, numerous barriers exist that prevent women from active participation in cancer screening programs. We partnered with community organizations to develop an outreach program to provide screening to Vietnamese women in the Greater Boston area.

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Community Association (VACA) and YWCA Encore Plus screening program, the cancer center at Tufts-New England Medical Center (T-NEMC) developed a culturally sensitive program to provide clinical exams, screening mammography, and PAP smears for breast and cervical cancer screening in this vulnerable population.

APNs, with extensive experience in women’s health and oncology, provide a comprehensive screening history and physical exam with the assistance of the health educator from VACA who serves as interpreter. Transportation to and from the visit is provided through the YWCA Encore Plus program and grants from State Street Foundation and American Cancer Society provide funding to underwrite the costs of mammogram and PAP smears. The health educator is a valued and trusted woman from the Vietnamese community and she accompanies all of the women with follow-up needs for any subsequent appointments for abnormalities. She is a critical link to the success of the program. Mammograms are reviewed on the same day with the mammographer, and the women leave with results of the exam the same day. PAP smear follow-up is accomplished through translated follow-up letter.

In the first year of the grant, 75 women were screened for both breast and cervical cancer. (During the first two years, the screening program provided only breast cancer screening.) Review of data and results will be presented with respect to the number of women participating in first screening exams and the number of abnormalities and cancers. Cultural insights gleaned from regular meetings with health educators and VACA members will be shared.

During the grant period, we were able to provide free screening for breast and cervical cancer to 75 women, who otherwise would not have received this service, in an environment that was culturally sensitive and respectful. It is clear from our interactions, that providing care that preserves the respect and dignity of individual women, with attention to cultural norms and customs, assists us in providing culturally sensitive care.