Barriers to follow-up of an abnormal Pap smear in Latina women referred for colposcopy.

Background: Lower rates of follow-up after an abnormal Pap smear in racial and ethnic minorities may contribute to the higher incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer seen in these groups.

Objective: To identify patient-perceived barriers to follow-up after an abnormal Pap smear result among Latina women. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND APPROACH: Qualitative, semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with patients from an academic hospital-affiliated urban community health center.

Barriers to screening colonoscopy for low-income Latino and white patients in an urban community health center.

Background: Colonoscopy is a screening modality for the early detection of colonic polyps and cancers but is underutilized, particularly among minorities.

Objective: To identify potential barriers to screening colonoscopy among low income Latino and white non-Latino patients in an urban community health center. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND APPROACH: We conducted semistructured interviews with a convenience sample of patients 53 to 70 years old, eligible for colorectal cancer screening that spoke English or Spanish.