After puberty only the face and hands of a women should be exposed. Islam does not permit women s trunks and extremities to be exposed for medical examinations such as mammograms and breast cancer screening, except when absolute privacy is maintained. Additionally, Islamic culture does not allow care by the opposite gender unless it is impossible to locate a healthcare provider of the same gender. Understanding cultural mandates provides opportunities to incorporate breast cancer screening. This could be a time to encourage breast cancer screening.
Practitioners perceive the culture of minorities as barriers to recommended prevention techniques.
However, thorough understanding of the patient s culture may provide opportunities to assist women in adapting western medical culture to their traditional belief system.