Table 1.

Participant quotes and corresponding category by race/ethnicity

Category	Participant Quotes	Race/Ethnicity
Adolescent Teasing	I used to get teased by some boys and called flat chest. This teasing never completely faded from my memories. I think it has always somehow had an impact on my perception as a woman.	White
	Because of all that early teasing by boys, girls, my mother and aunts, to this day, I think of my breasts as a nuisance.	African American
	Despite the nuns attempt to keep us focused, the whispers among the boys…told me they all knew. “Look whose got tits!” or “Wow, never knew she had such knockers.” That's when I began carrying my books clutched to my chest and continued to do so all through high school.	Hispanic
	The boys were in the practice of snapping bras. I didn't have a bra to snap, it was embarrassing, I felt I didn't fit in but I didn't get teased by my peers not like my friend. Poor J. who was called “Peneplain” (it was an earth science reference … an area of flat, nearly featureless land).	Native American
Family Norms & Values	When I was an adult, I found out my aunt had a radical mastectomy, no one discussed at the time…but as all conversations regarding more intimate parts of our bodies, my mom cut to the chase and didn't elaborate at all.	White
	My upbringing was very reserved. We did not talk about personal things like body parts and breasts. I didn't know what to expect during puberty.	African American
	When I started to develop, my mother told me to be careful not to get hit in the chest that it would really hurt and cause cancer.	Hispanic
	My puberty celebration was at 13 years of age, with a lot of support from my family and cheering my way through womanhood was a great excitement. The puberty ceremony is a Blessing Way, all night chant for good blessing.	Native American
Media & Societal Influence	I think for many years the media (television, magazines, and movies) have also impacted the way I feel about my breasts. About seven years ago … I considered having breast implants. Why in God's name would anyone want implants? It has to be the need for obtaining the perfect body as seen on TV.	White
	We attach so much meaning to them [breasts]. I find myself thinking of how breasts seem to have a status and maybe personality, separate from the rest of the body.	African American
	When my first love was breaking up with me, he told me in part it was due to the fact that I “didn't have any tits!”	Hispanic
	It saddens me that this is a society so obsessed with material and physical attributes.	Native American
Breasts & Body Image	I was kind of small, so it was a challenge to keep my breast stuffed and hidden from the other girls. Surprise, surprise, I wasn't normal. I was skinny and breasts rule.	White
	I am just not happy about my body image; I wish I didn't have breasts.	African American
	I tend to wear large clothes. I'm working on being as non-sexual as possible and not bring attention to my breasts. I hated my body … I know I would have been tempted to get implants put in but I could never afford it!	Hispanic
	After writing these stories about breast issues, I realize how symbolic the breasts can be to a woman.	Native American
Mammography Screening Experiences	I was embarrassed and felt ashamed when I exposed my breast. I have never returned for a mammogram since. Any diagnostic test is scary. You are going for this test to rule out something horrible, something no one wants.	White
	I had the mammogram; it was one of the most painful experiences that I have had to go through.	African American
	… getting a mammogram isn't a very dignified process. Having another person touch your breasts is typically performed in much more intimate circumstances.	Hispanic
	I was afraid to have the mammogram because of stories I had heard.	Native American