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. 2003 Feb;93(2):292–298. doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.2.292

TABLE 4.

—Risk Factors and Early Detection for Minority Women

Mammography Within 2 Years, Aged 40 Years and Older Papanicolaou Test Within 3 Years Tobacco Use Diet and Obesity
Mexican American 59% (1998); lowest use of mammograms among Hispanic women 73% (1998) Smoking 13.6%; more smoking with increased acculturation 29%–39% overweight and obese; high-calorie, high-fat diet, also high in fruit and vegetables
Puerto Rican 64% (1998) 77% (1998) 30.3% smoking; highest among Hispanic groups 28%–39% obesity; high animal fat intake in Puerto Rico
Cuban American 62% (1998); previously low, increased in the 1990s 78% (1998); Papanicolaou test use increased after outreach programs 24.4% smoking rate 31.6% overweight; 34.9% eat a variety of foods, and 75.5% eat junk food daily
African American 65.9% (1998) 80% (1998) 21% smoking in 1998, down significantly since 1985 66.6% overweight or obese; low intake of vegetables but high intake of fruit
Asian American 60.7% overall (1998); variable across ethnic subgroups, range 31%-70% 67% overall (1998); ranges 43%–95%; lowest use among Vietnamese, recent immigrants, and non-English speaking Low smoking rates among females, varying 7%-19% by ethnic group 13%-26% obese, varying across ethnic groups; traditional Asian diet is protective; animal fat increases with acculturation
Native Hawaiian 63% reported recent mammogram; 73% ever had a mammogram 83% reported recent Papanicolaou test, although rates declined in older women (aged 65 years and older) 30% smoking rate, highest in state of Hawaii More than 60% overweight or obese; high caloric intake, high fat, meat, fruit, and vegetable intake
American Samoan 40%–70% reported recent mammogram 46% reported recent Papanicolaou test Estimated 11% smoking rate High rates of obesity and related risks; migration accompanied by shift to high-fat foods
American Indian 44.6% (1998) combined American Indian/Alaska Native 72% combined American Indian/Alaska Native (1998) Wide variation across tribes and regions; 20%-37% in recent surveys; smokeless tobacco use a problem High obesity rates (in 1 urban area, 69.6% overweight and 41.6% obese)
Alaska Native No information available separate from American Indians (44.6% in 1998) 62% within 3 years; 15% annual Papanicolaou test (72% American Indian/Alaska Native combined, 1998) High rates, estimated 35.6% nationwide More than 60% overweight, with 32.8% obese; dietary fat in nontraditional foods is high; fish intake also is high

Note. Information from various sources (see Cancer in Women of Color monograph11).