HHS HealthBeat (November 26, 2010)

Not just meant to be

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A scientific review finds Hispanic women are more likely to think of cancer fatalistically – as something that was just meant to be for them. And researchers say this means the women are less likely to seek out screening tests.

The researchers say seven of the 11 studies they reviewed found that, as fatalism went up, the likelihood of being screened went down.

At San Diego State University, researcher Karla Espinosa de los Monteros:

"Early detection can significantly increase your chance of cancer survivorship, so I would encourage all women to talk their doctors about their risk for cancer, and to ask to be screened, if appropriate."  (11 seconds)

The study in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 7, 2011