Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is a disease that strikes women globally every 14 seconds, making it a global health issue. It is among the most common cancers in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Black women face disproportionately higher mortality, underscoring the need for early, equitable screening.
Purpose: To explore the key factors shaping breast cancer screening habits among Caribbean-American Women of African ancestry. The study developed a substantive theory of sociocultural determinants to address and improve early and equitable breast cancer screening methods.
Philosophical underpinnings, including constructivism, pragmatism, and symbolic interactionism, guided the interpretation of participants’ thoughts and feelings, which shaped the development of the theory.
Methods: Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory methodology guided the study. Twenty-one participants were recruited via purposive sampling for intensive interviews.
Results: The Theory of Sociocultural Determinants in Breast Cancer Screening captures multilevel influences on screening behavior. Five conceptual categories emerged: (1) emotional responses (fear, fatalism, stigma); (2) health practices (preventive habits, competing demands); (3) support systems (family, peers, community leaders); (4) cultural and spiritual factors (beliefs, norms, meaning of illness); and (5) access and affordability (insurance, navigation, primary-care access).
Notes
References:
Afaya, A., Anaba, E. A., Bam, V., Afaya, R. A., Yahaya, A. R., Seidu, A. A., & Ahinkorah, B. O. (2024). Socio-cultural beliefs and perceptions influencing diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer among women in Ghana: A systematic review. BMC Women's Health, 24(1), 288. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03106-y
Ahmed, N., Brewster, C., Chang Martinez, C., Thomas DeVlugt, L., & Rodriguez, A. (2022). Dignity, shame, stigma, or ignorance in avoidance of breast and cervical cancer screenings among women of Caribbean descent. Open Journal of Social Sciences
Bener, A., Ayoubi, H. R., Basha, B., Joseph, S., & Chouchane, L. (2010). Breast cancer screening barriers: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women toward breast cancer. The Breast Journal, 17(1).
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4741.2010.01035.x
Davis, C. M. (2021). Health beliefs and breast cancer screening practices among African American women in California. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 4(3), 259–266.
Sigma Membership
Lambda Chi
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Grounded Theory
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Breast Cancer Screening, Sociocultural Determinants, Caribbean-American Women, Reflexive Practice, Health Equity
Recommended Citation
Yacoob, Corvette Vanessia and Hershorin, Indra, "The Development of the Theory of Sociocultural Determinants in Breast Cancer Screening" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 2.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/2
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-20
The Development of the Theory of Sociocultural Determinants in Breast Cancer Screening
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Breast cancer is a disease that strikes women globally every 14 seconds, making it a global health issue. It is among the most common cancers in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Black women face disproportionately higher mortality, underscoring the need for early, equitable screening.
Purpose: To explore the key factors shaping breast cancer screening habits among Caribbean-American Women of African ancestry. The study developed a substantive theory of sociocultural determinants to address and improve early and equitable breast cancer screening methods.
Philosophical underpinnings, including constructivism, pragmatism, and symbolic interactionism, guided the interpretation of participants’ thoughts and feelings, which shaped the development of the theory.
Methods: Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory methodology guided the study. Twenty-one participants were recruited via purposive sampling for intensive interviews.
Results: The Theory of Sociocultural Determinants in Breast Cancer Screening captures multilevel influences on screening behavior. Five conceptual categories emerged: (1) emotional responses (fear, fatalism, stigma); (2) health practices (preventive habits, competing demands); (3) support systems (family, peers, community leaders); (4) cultural and spiritual factors (beliefs, norms, meaning of illness); and (5) access and affordability (insurance, navigation, primary-care access).
Description
Focus: Clinical
Status: Completed Work/Project
This study presents a substantive, theory-informed framework that has the potential to reduce screening disparities significantly. Linking reflexive clinical practice with culturally responsive, community-engaged strategies that can make a substantial impact on health equity.