Table 2.

Summary of focus group themes

Theme	Sub-themes	Sample participant comments
Knowledge, beliefs, and experiences	Reasons for having or not having a mammogram Causes of and risks for breast cancer Negative experiences that made women not want to know about a diagnosis	“The notice I received was in English. I did not understand… I didn’t know what was going on. I needed to find someone to explain to me. So, forget it.” “My mother died from breast cancer… My mom was a traditional woman. She kept things in her mind and never spoke up. When people get depressed, their immune system is weakened…[they] can easily get sick.” “The technician pressed so hard, caused pain for few days; and that is why I don’t want to do it anymore.”
Support, communication, and educational needs	What women look for from health care provider, family, friends, and others Cultural beliefs, shame, and isolation impede disclosure	“…I want to know how to prevent it, What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer? I believe that every woman wants to know.” “Some women think that having abnormal mammogram result is a shame. My mom said that only you and your sister know [about my condition]; you cannot tell other people.”
Access to care and treatment seeking behavior	Seeking care in home country versus the U.S. Use of Eastern medicine to treat cancer	“The problem is that your doctor is in Taiwan; what should you do when problems come up? So I don’t know what to do.” “In our culture, Chinese medicine is milder, and Chinese will want to use it. They will rather use Chinese medicine until their illnesses are unable to control…”