Results: The selected 30 studies were published between 1996 and 2013 and came from Australia,
Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. The
reported prevalence of monthly breast self-examination was 0–48%; for yearly clinical breast examination
27–54%; and for biennial mammography 0–71%. The substantial methodologic heterogeneity
prevented a meta-analysis. Nonetheless, irrespective of host country, healthcare access, or educational
level, the findings consistently indicated that Eastern European immigrant women underutilize breast
cancer screening largely because of insufficient knowledge about early detection and an external locus
of control regarding decision making in health matters.