The Cultural Voice of Immigrant Latina Women and the Meaning of Femininity

This phenomenological study investigates the cultural meaning offemininity to immigrant Latina women and its significance in the consideration ofdecisions related to maintaining breast health. Theories of culture and health promotionsupport the concern for women’s need for access to health care in relation to breasthealth and the cultural barriers that interface between the connections of femininity,body image, and mental health. For Hispanic women, breast cancer is the most commonlydiagnosed cancer generating distress for the individual, partner, and family. Theimportance of best practices in health promotion and risk reduction strategies in theearly screening of women is emphasized in the literature. However, the voice ofimmigrant Latina women in describing their perspective of femininity and breast healthand how it may affect choice and decision making related to breast self-care practiceshas not been studied. Five themes emerged from the data analysis conducted with Giorgi’sphenomenological method leading to an unfolded description of femininity: power offeminine identity through motherhood, hardiness is sustainability to overcomingadversity, connection to self and others, satisfaction meeting cultural gender-roleexpectations, and contemplative prevention to maintain breast integrity. The findings ofthis study will contribute to the increasing body of evidence-based practice related tounderstanding the impact of culture related to breast health. While the concept offemininity can be challenged not only by a diagnosis of breast cancer but also by otherdiseases and life conditions, understanding the cultural meaning of femininity to Latinawomen is pivotal to health care professionals as they partner with Latina women andcommunity support groups to develop empowerment strategies and programs that promotechoice and decision making involving breast health