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The cancer screening project for women: experiences of women who partner with women and women who partner with men.

The Cancer Screening Project for Women is a study about the experiences of legally unmarried women with breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. During the initial phase of the study, we conducted focus groups to explore factors that influence unmarried women's decisions about cancer screenings. Women were invited to attend one of four group discussions: (1) never married women who either partner with women (WPW) or with both women and men (WPWM), (2) previously married women who now partner either with women (WPW) or with both women and men (WPWM), (3) never married women who partner with men (WPM), and (4) previously married women who partner with men (WPM). Twenty-eight women attended the focus groups, 14 WPW and 14 WPM. Several barriers to screening were consistent across the groups and included lack of acknowledgement and validation in medical settings, administrative barriers, pain, and concerns about body image. WPW specifically discussed fears about discrimination if and when they acknowledge their sexual orientation. WPW also described how women who express their gender androgynously are more likely to avoid health care facilities. Further studies are needed to determine if the themes we identified are consistent among larger samples of unmarried women.

Adult↗

Toward a women-centered health care system: women's experiences, women's voices, women's needs.

In this report we describe the results from 19 focus groups of nearly 250 women held in 1993 and 1994, in which diverse groups of women were asked to respond to a model health care delivery system. This project, sponsored by the Women's Health Advisory Committee of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, solicited focused input from diverse groups of women as they reviewed the draft of an "ideal" women's health care service model. Women's responses to an ideal system revealed some of the problems inherent with the current "nonsystem" of health care delivery. These responses were categorized into general themes and are presented here to demonstrate the range of women's experiences with their current health care, from their perspective and in their voices.

Adult↗

A sequence variation: 713-8delC in the transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene has higher prevalence in osteoporotic women than in normal women and is associated with very low bone mass in osteoporotic women and increased bone turnover in both osteoporotic and normal women.

Bone mass is partly genetically determined. The genes involved are, however, still largely unknown. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is considered a putative regulator of osteoclastic-osteoblastic interaction (coupling). The aim of the present study was therefore to examine whether possible variants of the TGF-beta 1 gene are related to bone mass and osteoporosis. We examined 161 osteoporotic women (at least one low energy spinal fracture) and 131 normal women. We investigated sequence variations in the TGF-beta 1 gene using the single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique combined with DNA sequencing. Seven patients were heterozygous for a cytosine to thymidine base substitution at position 76 in exon 5 (C788-T) (corresponding to position 788 in the TGF-beta 1 cDNA), resulting in a threonine to isoleucine amino acid shift at position 263 in the TGF-beta 1 propeptide (Thr263-Ile). Ten other patients had a one base deletion in the intron sequence 8 bases prior to exon 5 (713-8delC), which could influence splicing. Five normal women exhibited the C788-T sequence variant, and two the 713-8delC. The prevalence of 713-8delC was significantly higher in the osteoporotic group (chi 2 = 4.02, p < 0.05). Osteoporotic patients with the 713-8delC variant had increased levels of bone alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05). If the osteoporotic patients with a z score of the lumbar spine below -1 were examined separately, we found increased serum levels of bone alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05), increased urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (p < 0.05), and reduced bone mass of the lumbar spine (p < 0.05) in patients with 713-8delC. No correlation to bone mass was demonstrated in the normal women, but 713-8delC was associated with increased serum levels of bone alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05). The sequence variation, 713-8delC, in the TGF-beta 1 gene is more frequent in patients with osteoporosis compared to normal controls. The 713-8delC variant seems to be associated with very low bone mass in osteoporotic women with low bone mass and increased bone turnover in both osteoporotic and normal women.

Adult↗

Hormonal levels among HIV-1-seropositive women compared with high-risk HIV-seronegative women during the menstrual cycle. Women's Health Study (WHS) 001 and WHS 001a Study Team.

There is a paucity of normative data on hormonal levels among HIV-infected women. Hormonal levels may influence fertility and HIV-related immunological and virological factors. The objective of this study was to determine progesterone and estradiol levels during the menstrual cycle in HIV-seropositive women compared with high-risk seronegative women. The study enrolled 55 HIV-infected and 10 high-risk uninfected women with self-reported regular menstrual cycles (25-30-day cycles). Progesterone and estradiol levels were determined on a weekly basis for 8 weeks. The analysis included evaluations from the first complete menstrual cycle for the 54 HIV-infected and 9 uninfected women who had at least one complete cycle. The median age was 35 years for HIV-infected women and 36 years for uninfected women. The median CD4+ count for HIV-seropositive women was 210 cells/mm3. The median menstrual cycle length was 28 days (range 22-49 days) for HIV-infected women and 25 days (range 24-44 days) for uninfected women. The maximum progesterone level during the luteal phase was normal (>3.0 ng/ml) for 52 (96%) of 54 HIV-seropositive women and 7 (78%) of 9 HIV-seronegative women (p = 0.09, Fisher's exact test). The median maximum progesterone level was 12.2 ng/ml in HIV-seropositive women and 7.2 ng/ml in HIV-seronegative women (p = 0.07, Wilcoxon test). The median maximum estradiol value during the follicular phase was 148 pg/ml for HIV-seropositive women and 111 pg/ml for HIV-seronegative women (p = 0.04, Wilcoxon test). Among HIV-infected women, there were no significant differences in progesterone and estradiol levels by antiretroviral therapy, baseline plasma viral load, or median CD4+ cell count. We conclude that HIV-infected women with self-reported normal menstrual cycles have normal levels of progesterone and estradiol during the menstrual cycle.

Adult↗

Hypertension in women: what is really known? The Women's Caucus, Working Group on Women's Health of the Society of General Internal Medicine.

PURPOSE: To determine whether there is sufficient information in the medical literature to guide appropriate treatment of hypertensive women. DATA IDENTIFICATION: Epidemiologic surveys of hypertension, clinical trials of antihypertensive therapy, and studies of selected adverse effects of antihypertensive agents were identified through a computerized search using MEDLINE and by identifying all studies cited in current medical textbooks as supporting evidence for the guidelines for the treatment of hypertensive individuals. All epidemiologic studies selected were cross-sectional or longitudinal, multicenter, population-based surveys. All clinical trials were large, randomized studies comparing one or more antihypertensive agents with a placebo or nonplacebo control group. Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials were reviewed to assess the quantity and quality of information available regarding important aspects of hypertension in women. Data pertaining to epidemiology, natural history, results of treatment, and two significant side effects of antihypertensive treatment were examined. RESULTS OF DATA ANALYSIS: The prevalence of hypertension is greater in black women than in black men and is about equal in white women and men. Because women outnumber men in the population, there are more hypertensive women than men. The attributable risk percent (the proportion of end points that could be eliminated by removing hypertension) for cardiovascular complications of hypertension is higher for women than men. Clinical trials show clear benefit of therapy for black women but no clear benefit for white women; some studies suggest that treatment of white women is harmful. Lipid profiles and their relation to ischemic heart disease differ for women and men; there is currently no information on the effects of antihypertensive agents on serum lipids in women. Few data have been published on the frequency of sexual dysfunction in treated hypertensive women. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension in women and its related cardiovascular outcomes are a major public health problem. Clinical trials of antihypertensive therapy do not fully support current guidelines for the treatment of hypertensive women. Research concerning adverse effects of antihypertensive agents has largely excluded women from consideration; further studies are required to guide appropriate treatment.

Black or African American↗

Anterior vaginal repair for urinary incontinence in women.

BACKGROUND: Anterior vaginal repair (anterior colporrhaphy) is an operation traditionally used for moderate or severe stress urinary incontinence in women. About a third of adult women experience urinary incontinence. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of anterior vaginal repair (anterior colporrhaphy) on stress or mixed urinary incontinence in comparison with other management options. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group's trials register, and the reference lists of relevant articles. Date of most recent search: March 1999. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised trials that included anterior vaginal repair for the treatment of urinary incontinence. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. One trial investigator was contacted for additional information. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials were identified which included 208 women having an anterior vaginal repair and 400 who received comparison interventions. A single small trial provided insufficient evidence to assess anterior repair in comparison with physical therapy. The performance of anterior repair in comparison with needle suspension appeared similar but clinically important differences could not be confidently ruled out. No trials compared anterior repair with sling or laparoscopic interventions, or compared alternative vaginal operations. Anterior repair was less effective than abdominal retropubic suspension based on patient-reported cure rates in four trials both in the short-term (failure rate within first year after anterior repair 48/198, 24% vs 30/266, 11%; RR 2.15, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.28) and long-term (80/193, 41% vs 51/261, 20%; RR 2.25, 95% CI 1.66 to 3.04). There was some evidence from one of these trials that this was reflected in fewer repeat operations for incontinence. These findings held irrespective of the co-existence of prolapse (pelvic relaxation). Although later prolapse operation appeared to be equally common after vaginal or abdominal operation there were too few data to judge this reliably. In respect of the type of abdominal retropubic suspension, most data related to comparisons of anterior repair with Burch colposuspension. The few data describing comparison of anterior repair with the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure were consistent with those for Burch colposuspension. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There were not enough data to allow comparison of anterior vaginal repair with physical therapy or needle suspension for primary urinary stress incontinence in women. Abdominal retropubic suspension appeared to be better than anterior vaginal repair judged on subjective cure rates in four trials, even in women who had prolapse in addition to stress incontinence. The need for repeat incontinence surgery also appeared less after the abdominal operation, but this was only reported in one small trial. However, there was not enough information about post-operative complications and morbidity.

Adult↗

[Age related decrease of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in women after menopause. Quantification of HDL with genetically determined HDL arylesterase in women with healthy coronary vessels and in women with angiographically verified coronary heart disease].

BACKGROUND: The decline in the concentration of high density lipoproteins (HDL) observed in postmenopausal women is thought to contribute to the increasing incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) after menopause. Human serum arylesterase (EC 3.1.1.2) is exclusively associated with HDL. We therefore investigated possible differences in the decline of HDL-levels and of HDL-subfractions HDL2 and HDL3 between postmenopausal women without and with angiographically documented CAD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: HDL-, HDL2-and-HDL3- concentrations were studied in postmenopausal women with angiographically documented CAD (n = 24; 51 to 72 years mean: 62 years) and compared to HDL-parameters of women without CAD (n = 22; 51 to 81 years, mean: 58 years). Arylesterase activities of HDL2-and HDL3-subfractions and HDL2-cholesterol concentrations were determined after differential precipitation with polyethylene glycol (4.7 mM PEG). Phenotyping of HDL-arylesterase was achieved in CAD patients and in women without CAD after determining hydrolysis of arylesterase substrates paraoxon (PO) and phenylacetate (PA) by calculating paraoxonase/arylesterase activity ratios R (R = [PO]/[PA] x 1000): phenotype A (n = 26) with R < 2.5, phenotype AB (n = 16) with 5.0 < R < 10.7, and phenotype B (n = 4) with R > 13.5. RESULTS: In postmenopausal women with documented CAD, as compared to women without CAD, HDL-cholesterol (55 +/- 3 mg/dl vs. 69 +/- 3 mg/dl HDL2-arylesterase (25 +/- 1 kU/l vs. 33 +/- 2 kU/l), and HDL3-arylesterase (89 +/- 4 kU/l vs. 106 +/- 5 kU/I) were found to be significantly reduced. Analysis of the correlation of lipid parameters and age revealed in CAD patients, but not in postmenopausal women without CAD, a significant increase of total cholesterol (r = 0.42), and significant reductions of both HDL2-arylesterase (r = -0.47) and HDL3-arylesterase (r = 0.74) with increasing age. In contrast, HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.14) and HDL2-cholesterol (r = -0.06) of CAD patients showed only slight and non-significant reductions with age. Since HDL3-arylesterase was found to be age-dependently reduced in women without CAD (r = 0.17), HDL2-arylesterase of postmenopausal women, among all lipid parameters showed the most pronounced differences between women without CAD and CAD patients. The age-dependent decrease of HDL2-arylesterase in postmenopausal women with CAD does not result from an increased frequency of B-allele carriers in the subgroup of CAD patients with an age above the median (64 years). CONCLUSION: Genetically determined serum HDL-arylesterase is well suited to quantify HDL in postmenopausal women without and with CAD. HDL2-arylesterase of postmenopausal women should be evaluated as a screening parameter for both primary and secondary CAD prevention.

Aged↗

Using women's health research to develop women leaders in academic health sciences: the National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health.

While the number of women entering U.S. medical schools has risen substantially in the past 25 years, the number of women in leadership positions in academic medicine is disproportionately small. The traditional pathway to academic leadership is through research. Women's health research is an ideal venue to fill the pipeline with talented women physicians and scientists who may become academic leaders in positions where they can promote positive change in women's health as well as mentor other women. The Office on Women's Health (OWH) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has contracted with 18 academic medical centers to develop National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health. Emphasizing the integral link between women's health and women leaders, each of the Centers of Excellence must develop a leadership plan for women in academic medicine as part of the contract requirements. This paper describes the training programs in women's health research that have developed at five of the academic medical centers: the University of Wisconsin, Magee Women's Hospital, the University of Maryland, Medical College of Pennsylvania Hahnemann University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. We discuss some of the challenges faced for both initiation and future viability of these programs as well as criteria by which these programs will be evaluated for success.

Academic Medical Centers↗

Do women want women health workers? Women's views of the primary health care service.

This paper sets out to explore key aspects of women's views of women GPs and practice nurses within primary health care settings. The extent to which women actively seek female health workers for the provision of their primary health care needs, including preventive health care, is examined. The findings presented in this paper are from a 3-year research project employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, which aimed to develop an understanding of the role women primary health care workers play in the construction and provision of primary health care services for women. The findings indicate that for specific 'women's health issues' the gender of the worker is clearly important for women. However, for other health needs factors such as the personal approach of the provider become paramount. Consideration of the role of the practice nurse suggests that there is considerable potential for practice nurses to further develop a specific role with women. Although lack of awareness among women of nursing skills and expertise raises issues for the presentation of the role of the practice nurse within the primary health care service. In conclusion the paper highlights that women's views should be understood in terms of a complex range of preferences and needs.

Adult↗

By women, for women: the continuing appeal of women's health centres.

During the 1970s and '80s, several dozen women's health centres (WHCs) were established in Australia. Most of these centres are government-funded feminist community health facilities run by women, for women. With other women's health initiatives, WHCs are subject to financial and political pressure. This paper draws on data from a study of nearly 400 women clients of women's health and generalist community health centres to examine the continuing appeal of WHCs in the increasingly conservative political environment of the late 1990s. I explore such questions as: Does Australia still need WHCs? Do they offer anything that cannot be obtained elsewhere, and if so, what? This discussion focuses particularly on women's comments about the centre where they were interviewed and their views--both positive and negative--about WHCs more generally. The appeal of WHCs appears to be based on several qualities and resources: best-practice in certain clinical domains; sympathetic care for clients who find it difficult to obtain good care elsewhere; time for complex or distressing health problems; both general and specific health information; sociability and empowerment through participation in groups; and opportunities for active health development. In some cases, a woman private practitioner might supply an alternative to a WHC. Other valued elements are probably results of the fact that these are publicly funded community health agencies with salaried staff and similar qualities might be found in a mixed-sex community health facility. But only women's health centres combine the two, and embed them in a feminist philosophy and analysis of women's health and health care. In addition, WHCs' influence on the mainstream may benefit many more women than those who go to a centre. WHCs serve as models, innovate and collaborate with mainstream agencies, train service providers, and develop information and educational resources. These twin aims of supplying gender-specific services and enriching the mainstream continue to guide the work of WHCs.

Attitude to Health↗

Seroprevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II among a cohort of HIV-infected women and women at risk for HIV infection. Women's Interagency HIV Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the seroprevalence of, and risk factors for, HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection among HIV-infected women and women at high risk for HIV infection. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data for women enrolled in the prospective Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). METHODS: From October 1994 through November 1995, 2657 women from five metropolitan areas in the United States (Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City [two sites], Northern California, and Washington DC) were enrolled in WIHS. An interview-based survey collected data on demographics, behavior, and medical history. HTLV-I and HTLV-II determinations were made using a combined HTLV-I/HTLV-II indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) screening test, an IFA titration specificity test, and individual HTLV-I and HTLV-II confirmatory Western blots. Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression were used to determine univariate and multivariate independent predictors for HTLV-II infection. RESULTS: Of 2625 women enrolled in WIHS with confirmed HIV results, 2487 (95%) were tested for HTLV-I and HTLV-II. Of these, 241 (10%) were HTLV-II-seropositive and 13 (0.5%) were HTLV-I-seropositive. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of HTLV-II infection included injection drug use (OR = 5.2; p < .001), black race (OR = 3.6; p < 0.001), age >35 years (OR = 3.3; p < .001) and a history of sex with a male injecting drug user (OR = 1.9; p < .001). Among women infected with HIV, the seroprevalence of HTLV-II was 11% compared with 6% for women at risk for HIV but not infected (p < .001). However, HIV was not an independent predictor of HTLV-II infection in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional analysis confirms that HTLV-II is found commonly in HIV-infected women and uninfected women at risk for HIV in major urban areas throughout the United States and that HTLV-II is far more common than HTLV-I in these populations. Although injecting drug use is most strongly associated with HTLV-II infection, sexual transmission likely contributes to the high HTLV-II seroprevalence in this cohort.

Blotting, Western↗

Interventions for treating trichomoniasis in women.

OBJECTIVES: Around 120 million women worldwide suffer from Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis every year. The infection is sexually transmitted and is believed to facilitate HIV transmission. The objective of the review is to assess the effects of various treatment strategies for trichomoniasis in women. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Trials were also identified from reference lists of reviews, through pharmaceutical companies, and by informal discovery. Only published data were used in this review. Date of the most recent search: May, 1999. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized or quasi-randomized trials in women with trichomoniasis of different treatment strategies, different antitrichomonal drugs or doses were eligible. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Trial quality was assessed and data extracted by two reviewers independently using standard criteria. MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-two trials were included. Nitroimidazoles seem to be effective in achieving parasitological cure in the short term follow-ups. Partner treatment can be effective in decreasing longer term re-infection rates. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Parasitological cure can be achieved by single oral dose of nitroimidazoles. Further research should focus on developing effective partner treatment strategies to prevent re-infections and reduce trichomoniasis prevalence.

Animals↗

Sister chromatid exchanges in the lymphocytes of control women, pregnant women, and women taking oral contraceptives: effects of cell culture temperature.

The incidence of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was investigated in the lymphocytes of control women, pregnant women, and women using oral contraceptives after culture at 37 degrees C and 40 degrees C. At 37 degrees C, the mean frequency of SCE (MEAN +/- S.E.) was found to be 7.91 +/- 0.30 in pregnant women and 8.53 +/- 0.29 in oral contraceptive users which were significantly higher than the SCE value of 5.56 +/- 0.21 found in control women. Increase in growth temperature to 40 degrees C elevated the SCE frequency to 11.86 +/- 0.44 in pregnant women, 12.76 +/- 0.46 in oral contraceptive users and 7.24 +/- 0.26 in control women. These data indicate that there is a differential induction of SCEs following increased cell culture temperature in the lymphocytes of pregnant women and oral contraceptive users, compared with control women.

Cells, Cultured↗

Lifestyle factors are associated with osteoporosis in lean women but not in normal and overweight women: a population-based cohort study of 1222 women.

The aim of the present population-based cohort study was to evaluate the contribution of lifelong lifestyle factors to calcaneal and distal forearm bone mass in elderly women. We studied 1222 of the 1689 eligible home-dwelling women aged 70-73 years. Lifelong occupational and leisure time physical activity, calcium intake, smoking, alcohol intake and medical history were obtained by a self-completed questionnaire. Main outcome measures were broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) of the calcaneus and bone mineral density (BMD) of the radius measured once in 1997-1998. The women with BMI < or = 25.1 kg m(2) had lower BUA (p < 0.0001) and radial BMD values (p < 0.0001) than women with higher BMI. Lifestyle factors associated with BUA in the leanest women were: low physical activity at work (RR 0.4; 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 0.8), low habitual exercise at the ages 30 years, 50 years and currently (RR 1.5; 1.0 to 2.4; RR 1.5; 1.1 to 2.6; RR 1.7; 1.1 to 2.7), poor mobility (RR 1.9; 1.2 to 3.0), coffee intake > or = 5 cups/day (RR 1.7; 1.1 to 2.7), type 2 diabetes (RR 0.3; 0.1 to 0.9) and hypertension (RR 0.5; 0.3 to 0.8). Type 2 diabetes protected lean women from lower distal and ultradistal radial bone density (RR 0.3; 0.1 to 0.8; RR 0.1; 0.1 to 0.5). The selected lifestyle factors were not associated with lowered calcaneal or radial bone density in the higher categories of BMI. In conclusion, risk factors for lower calcaneal and radial bone density appear to be different among lean and normal/obese women. Lifelong recreational physical activity, low physical activity at work, type 2 diabetes and hypertension seem to be associated with increased bone density, while high coffee intake may increase the risk of lower bone density in lean elderly women. These factors are potentially modifiable, and intervention studies targeted at this risk category of women are needed.

Aged↗

Loose women or lost women? The re-emergence of the myth of white slavery in contemporary discourses of trafficking in women.

This article compares current concerns about "trafficking in women" with turn of the century discourses about "white slavery". It traces the emergence of narratives on "white slavery" and their reemergence in the moral panics and boundary crises of contemporary discourses on "trafficking in women". Drawing on historical analysis and contemporary representations of sex worker migration, the paper argues that the narratives of innocent, virginal victims purveyed in the "trafficking in women" discourse are a modern version of the myth of "white slavery". These narratives, the article argues, reflect persisting anxieties about female sexuality and women's autonomy. Racialized representations of the migrant "Other" as helpless, child-like, victims strips sex workers of their agency. This article argues that while the myth of "trafficking in women"/"white slavery" is ostensibly about protecting women, the underlying moral concern is with the control of "loose women". Through the denial of migrant sex workers' agency, these discourses serve to reinforce notions of female dependence and purity that serve to further marginalize sex workers and undermine their human rights.

Behavior↗

[Who needs more psychosocial oriented rehabilitation -- women after breast cancer or women after genital cancer? -- A sociopsychological study of 308 women (author's transl)].

A standardised questionnaire and personality test were used to study whether women after breast cancer treatment, or women treated for genital cancer need psychosocial counselling more frequently. The interview was given to 308 women during the author's tumor after-care consultations. 1. Repercussion on their marital lives were reported three times more often by women treated for genital cancer than by women after mastectomy (p less than 0.01). There was not significant difference with regard to their family status. 2. As epidemiologically expected -- mastectomy patients had born less children than women treated for genital cancer (p less than 0.05). 3. A reduced self-confidence was reported more often by patients treated for breast cancer than by the other patient group (p less than 0.01). 4. No decrease in working performance was observed by 50% of the women treated for genital cancers as against one third of the masectomy patients. 5. Work resumption was reported more often to be strenuous for masectomy patients than for women treated for genital cancer (p less than 0.05). 6. Woman after mastectomy experiences 50% less sexual repercussions than genital cancer patients (p less than 0.05).

Breast Neoplasms↗

[Access to Danish health care by immigrant women. Access to hospital care among immigrant women with breast cancer compared with Danish women].

The study aim is to measure possible differences in access to health care among immigrant women with breast cancer compared with Danish women. We used tumour size at diagnosis as a proxy measure of access. The Danish Central Personal Register provided information from 1977-1996 on women between 20-75 years born in countries in which Islam is the dominating faith. These data were linked to the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group, which registers data concerning tumour size. Sixty-five immigrant women with breast cancer were identified and matched with a control population of Danish women. The study showed larger tumours at diagnosis among women from ethnic minority groups compared to Danes. However, this tendency was not significant. Furthermore, mammographic screening had a significant effect on the tumour sizes of Danish women, but not on those of immigrants. The study indicates ethnic inequalities related to access to health services as measured by tumour size.

Adult↗