Barriers and Facilitators to Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening in Somali Immigrant Women: An Integrative Review

Problem Identification: Somali immigrant women access breast and cervical cancer screenings at a significantly lower rate than other women in the United States and face unique barriers and facilitators to cancer screening.

Literature Search: A literature search was performed using CINAHL®, PubMed®, EBSCOhost, PsycINFO®, MEDLINE®, and Google ScholarTM. Articles included qualitative studies that explored the barriers and facilitators to breast and cervical cancer screening in Somali immigrant women.

Data Evaluation: 10 articles were summarized using a standardized data matrix. Evidence was integrated into a synthesis of evidence and organized by theme.

Synthesis: According to the literature reviewed, Somali immigrant women face knowledge, cultural, and healthcare system barriers to screening for breast and cervical cancer. Recommendations to increase screening included providing culturally tailored education, increasing community involvement, and improving provider education.

Implications for Research: Understanding the barriers and facilitators that are unique to Somali immigrant women can assist nurse researchers and practitioners in developing evidence-based interventions that will provide support to this underserved population.