Recommended Citation
Figueroa Baiges A, Flores K, Wankowski D, Lamptey M. Patient and Provider Perceived Barriers to Completion of Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Spanish-Speaking Patients. Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Abstract
Background/Significance:
Limited studies have shown that Latino/Hispanic populations have disproportionately low breast and colorectal cancer screening rates in the United States. The role of language barriers on these disparities remains understudied. This project evaluated patient and provider-perceived barriers to breast and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Spanish-speaking patients.
Purpose:
Given that 16% of the Milwaukee population is Spanish speaking, this project aimed to identify barriers to cancer screening among Spanish-speaking patients receiving primary care at Aurora Healthcare clinics, to inform strategies to improve screening equity.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey project was conducted among Spanish-speaking patients due for breast or colorectal cancer screening at three Aurora family practice clinics between January 1, 2021, and November 1, 2024. Surveys were administered by telephone with interpreter support and recorded in REDCap. Provider surveys were distributed electronically and collected anonymously.
Results:
88/181 eligible patients (48.6%) completed one or both surveys. Among women eligible for breast cancer screening, 100% reported understanding the importance of mammography, yet 12.1% had never completed screening. The most frequently reported barriers were cost (37.5%) and fear (31.3%). Among patients eligible for CRC screening, 32.9% reported never completing screening; 29.6% were unfamiliar with colonoscopy, and 62.0% were unaware of alternative screening methods. Fear (36.6%) and cost (26.1%) were also the most frequently reported barriers for CRC screening. Language barrier was reported as a problem for 12.5% of women in the breast cancer screening survey and 12.7% for patients participating in the CRC screening survey. Patient portal utilization was low across groups. 51/226 providers (22.6%) completed the survey. 98% of providers reported recommending cancer screening at similar frequencies for Spanish and English-speaking patients, though over 43% perceived lower CRC screening completion among Spanish-speaking patients.
Conclusion:
Cost, fear, and limited knowledge, rather than language alone, were perceived to be the primary reported barriers to breast and CRC screening among Spanish-speaking patients in our clinics. Targeted patient education, improved cost transparency, and increased support for patient portal enrollment may help reduce screening disparities.
Presentation Notes
Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Full Text of Presentation
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Document Type
Oral/Podium Presentation
Patient and Provider Perceived Barriers to Completion of Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Spanish-Speaking Patients
Background/Significance:
Limited studies have shown that Latino/Hispanic populations have disproportionately low breast and colorectal cancer screening rates in the United States. The role of language barriers on these disparities remains understudied. This project evaluated patient and provider-perceived barriers to breast and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Spanish-speaking patients.
Purpose:
Given that 16% of the Milwaukee population is Spanish speaking, this project aimed to identify barriers to cancer screening among Spanish-speaking patients receiving primary care at Aurora Healthcare clinics, to inform strategies to improve screening equity.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey project was conducted among Spanish-speaking patients due for breast or colorectal cancer screening at three Aurora family practice clinics between January 1, 2021, and November 1, 2024. Surveys were administered by telephone with interpreter support and recorded in REDCap. Provider surveys were distributed electronically and collected anonymously.
Results:
88/181 eligible patients (48.6%) completed one or both surveys. Among women eligible for breast cancer screening, 100% reported understanding the importance of mammography, yet 12.1% had never completed screening. The most frequently reported barriers were cost (37.5%) and fear (31.3%). Among patients eligible for CRC screening, 32.9% reported never completing screening; 29.6% were unfamiliar with colonoscopy, and 62.0% were unaware of alternative screening methods. Fear (36.6%) and cost (26.1%) were also the most frequently reported barriers for CRC screening. Language barrier was reported as a problem for 12.5% of women in the breast cancer screening survey and 12.7% for patients participating in the CRC screening survey. Patient portal utilization was low across groups. 51/226 providers (22.6%) completed the survey. 98% of providers reported recommending cancer screening at similar frequencies for Spanish and English-speaking patients, though over 43% perceived lower CRC screening completion among Spanish-speaking patients.
Conclusion:
Cost, fear, and limited knowledge, rather than language alone, were perceived to be the primary reported barriers to breast and CRC screening among Spanish-speaking patients in our clinics. Targeted patient education, improved cost transparency, and increased support for patient portal enrollment may help reduce screening disparities.
Affiliations
Aurora Spring City Waukesha, Aurora UW Medical Group, Aurora Sinai Medical Center