Impact of a community-based breast cancer screening program on Hopi women

Objective: To examine changes in breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors following implementation of a tribal run CDC Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP), we report 2006 survey results from Hopi women and contrast findings with 1993 survey data and BCCP reports. Methods: Community meetings, focus groups, and researchers jointly developed a culturally appropriate survey instrument. Hopi women randomly selected from Tribal enrollment lists were interviewed in-person by Hopi interviewers; 250 women ≥ age 18 participated (87% response) between June and December, 2006. Results: Among women 40+, 77.5% reported ever having had a mammogram and 68.9% reported having done so within the past 2. years, an increase from 45.2% and 46% self-reported in 1993. Compared to 1993, more women in 2006 (88.1% vs. 59%) believed that a mammogram can detect cancer and more than 90% now believe that early detection of cancer can save lives. Women reported a preference (60%) for receiving health care at the Hopi BCCP. Survey results were validated using programmatic data which estimated 76.6% of Hopi women had received mammography screening. Conclusion: Implementation of a tribal run BCCP has resulted in a substantial increase in mammography screening on the Hopi reservation.