Breast Cancer Screening Paved with Good Intentions: Application of the Information–Motivation–Behavioral Skills Model to Racial/Ethnic Minority Women

Racial/ethnic minority women experience disparities in breast cancer. Studies suggest that this may be partly related to later stage of diagnosis. Adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines is frequently lower in racial/ethnic minority populations, which may contribute to this disparity. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of intentions to obtain breast cancer screening based on established guidelines using the information–motivation–behavioral skills model. Data for this study were obtained from the community-based Kin Keeper^SM Cancer Prevention Intervention study and included 278 racial/ethnic minority women (Black = 138; Latina = 68; Arab = 80). Data were collected between 2009 and 2010 and analyzed in 2013. Structural equation models were tested to examining the effects of functional breast cancer literacy, motivation, and breast cancer screening behavior. Motivation was significantly associated with breast cancer screening. Breast cancer literacy (information) is positively associated with breast cancer screening. The findings indicate that the higher the level of breast cancer literacy and the more motivated patients are, the more likely they are to be screened. In addition, there was a significant association between the covariate race and other model constructs. Functional breast cancer literacy and motivation interventions are important factors to consider when designing breast cancer screening interventions in racial/ethnic minority women. These interventions should consider cultural and contextual factors that are associated with screening behavior.