Cancer Screening Practices of Asian American Physicians in New York City

Cancer screening rates are lower among Asian Americans than the general USA population. While prior studies examined characteristics of Asian American patients as predictors of cancer screening, few investigated their health care providers. Asian American primary care physicians practicing in New York City were surveyed by questionnaire regarding their demographics, practice characteristics, and cancer screening of their Asian American patients. Of the 117 eligible respondents, 96% recommended mammograms to their Asian patients 50+ years of age and 70% to patients 40-49-year-old. Only 30% of respondents use both age and onset of sexual activity to determine when to recommend Pap smears. For colorectal cancer screening, the rates of performing fecal occult blood testing or recommending colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy were 77% and 74%. About 70% recommend screening for hepatitis B. Gender and ethnicity of the physician were found to be significant predictors for cancer screening practice.