Crawford, JAhmad, FBeaton, DBierman, AS2016-06-222016-06-222015-02Crawford J, Ahmad F, Beaton D & Bierman AS. Cancer screening behaviours among South Asian immigrants in the UK, US, and Canada: a scoping study. Journal of Health and Social Care in the Community 2015; 24:123-153. DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12208.http://hdl.handle.net/10315/31402South Asian (SA) immigrants settled in the United Kingdom (UK) and North America [United States (US) and Canada] have low screening rates for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. Incidence rates of these cancers increase among SA immigrants after migration, becoming similar to rates in non-Asian native populations. However, there are disparities in cancer screening, with low cancer screening uptake in this population. We conducted a scoping study using Arksey & O’Malley’s framework to examine cancer screening literature on SA immigrants residing in the UK, US and Canada. Eight electronic databases, key journals and reference lists were searched for English language studies and reports. Of 1465 identified references, 70 studies from 1994 to November 2014 were included: 63% on breast or cervical cancer screening or both; 10% examined colorectal cancer screening only; 16% explored health promotion/service provision; 8% studied breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening; and 3% examined breast and colorectal cancer screening. A thematic analysis uncovered four dominant themes: (i) beliefs and attitudes towards cancer and screening included centrality of family, holistic healthcare, fatalism, screening as unnecessary and emotion-laden perceptions; (ii) lack of knowledge of cancer and screening related to not having heard about cancer and its causes, or lack of awareness of screening, its rationale and/or how to access services; (iii) barriers to access including individual and structural barriers; and (iv) gender differences in screening uptake and their associated factors. Findings offer insights that can be used to develop culturally sensitive interventions to minimise barriers and increase cancer screening uptake in these communities, while recognising the diversity within the SA culture. Further research is required to address the gap in colorectal cancer screening literature to more fully understand SA immigrants’ perspectives, as well as research to better understand gender-specific factors that influence screening uptake."This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Crawford J, Ahmad F, Beaton D & Bierman AS. Cancer screening behaviours among South Asian immigrants in the UK, US, and Canada: a scoping study. Journal of Health and Social Care in the Community 2015; 24:123-153. has been published in final form at: DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12208. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."Access to healthcareCancer prevention and controlEthnic minoritiesEthnicity and healthScreeningSouth AsianArticlehttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hsc.12208/abstract