Women’s knowledge, attitudes and practice about breast cancer screening in the region of Monastir (Tunisia)

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sana El Mhamdi ◽  
Ines Bouanene ◽  
Amel Mhirsi ◽  
Asma Sriha ◽  
Kamel Ben Salem ◽  
...  

Breast cancer remains a worldwide public health problem. In Tunisia, it is considered to be the primary women’s cancer and causes high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate female knowledge, attitudes and practice of breast cancer screening in the region of Monastir (Tunisia). We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional design exploring knowledge, attitudes and practices of women in the region of Monastir on breast cancer screening. The study was conducted in health centres of this region from 1 March 2009 to 30 June 2009. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire containing 15 items on demographic status, knowledge of risk factors and screening methods and attitudes towards the relevance and effectiveness of breast cancer screening. A scoring scheme was used to score women’s responses. A total of 900 women agreed to take part in the study. Their mean age was 41.6 ± 12.4 years and 64% did not exceed the primary level of education. According to the constructed scores, 92% of participants had poor knowledge of the specific risk factors for breast cancer and 63.2% had poor knowledge of the screening methods. Proper practice of breast cancer screening was observed in 14.3% of cases. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that good knowledge of risk factors and screening methods, higher level of education and positive family history of breast cancer were independently correlated with breast cancer screening practice. This study revealed poor knowledge of breast cancer and the screening methods as well as low levels of practice of breast cancer screening among women in the region of Monastir. Results justify educational programs to raise women’s adherence to breast cancer screening programs in Tunisia.

Author(s):  
Ayat F. Manzour ◽  
Dina A. Gamal Eldin

Abstract Background Breast diseases in women, whether benign or malignant, are very commonly encountered. The breast is the commonest site for female cancer in Egypt (38.8%). Breast cancer screening can reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the survival rate for this malignancy. Mammogram can be used as a screening technique beside its role as diagnostic, especially in women over 40 years of age. Objectives To assess knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast cancer and awareness about mammogram as a screening method among a group of females attending Ain Shams University outpatient clinics. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from August to September 2017. A systematic random sample was taken from attending females (18–70 years) in Ain Shams University outpatient clinics (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics Hospital, and Maternity hospital). They were interviewed using a questionnaire inquiring about sociodemographic background, participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practice towards breast cancer and its screening. Results The mean age ± SD of attending females (18–70 years) was 37 ± 11 years. Most study participants had correct information about mammography. They showed poor knowledge level about risk factors. Mass media such as TV and internet were identified as the main source of information on breast cancer by 43% and 23.9%, respectively. In general, participants had positive attitude towards breast cancer screening by mammography. Around 90% agreed that mammogram was the best way to find a very small lump in the breast, and 91.4% agreed that women who have regular screening by mammogram have better disease outcome than those who do not screen. Regarding mammography practice rate, a small percent of participants (8.1%) was advised by their doctors to conduct a screening mammography. The level of knowledge was significantly and positively correlated with their attitude towards breast cancer screening. Conclusion The poor knowledge and practices of women illustrate the need for health education program directed to Egyptian females to improve their knowledge about breast cancer—especially its risk factors—and its screening. Using TV and Internet as media for spreading information about this disease is crucial.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4331
Author(s):  
Juan José Muñoz-Sanz ◽  
María Jiménez-Palomares ◽  
Elisa María Garrido-Ardila ◽  
Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla

Background: Currently, we are beginning to observe a stabilisation and even a decrease in breast cancer mortality in the world, which may be related, among other reasons, to breast cancer screening. Methods: The objective of this study was to analyse the different reasons why women do not participate in the Breast Cancer Early Detection Programme in Extremadura (Spain) and to discuss the results, offering possible tools to improve the screening programs. This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study. A questionnaire with 14 questions was carried out by telephone or mail. Results: A total of 3970 questionnaires were collected. However, only 2507 were valid. A total of 70.36% of young and educated women underwent mammographic controls. The type of women who did not attend the screening programme appointment corresponded to a woman of approximately 60 years of age, with no formal studies, married, with children, who does not work outside their home and who lived in the health area of Badajoz. Among the main reasons for not going to the appointment, 53.9% of the women surveyed indicated that they had check-ups with their gynaecologist, and this specialist referred them for a mammograph. These women were younger and have a higher level of education. Women with a lower educational level and older women did not have any mammography done and did not undergo screening. They indicated that they did not go to the appointment because they were afraid of having a mammography (44%) or because they did not receive the appointment in time (31.6%). A total of 26.9% of the women who did not attend the appointment for other reasons stated that they had problems in attending because they had a physical limitation (dependency). Conclusions: Women who did not participate in the breast cancer screening programme in Extremadura had low educational levels and were older women. Specifically, fear of having a mammogram was the main argument raised by these women. In addition, a small group stated that they did not consider mammography to be useful. At present and in the future, good quality screening programs must be carried out to contribute to the reduction in breast cancer mortality. Furthermore, enhancing the participation of women is essential to increase the attendance rate and, therefore, the success of the screening programmes.


Author(s):  
Hina M. Ismail ◽  
Christopher G. Pretty ◽  
Matthew K. Signal ◽  
Marcus Haggers ◽  
J. Geoffrey Chase

Background:Early detection of breast cancer, combined with effective treatment, can reduce mortality. Millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer and many die every year globally. Numerous early detection screening tests have been employed. A wide range of current breast cancer screening methods are reviewed based on a series of searchers focused on clinical testing and performance. </P><P> Discussion: The key factors evaluated centre around the trade-offs between accuracy (sensitivity and specificity), operator dependence of results, invasiveness, comfort, time required, and cost. All of these factors affect the quality of the screen, access/eligibility, and/or compliance to screening programs by eligible women. This survey article provides an overview of the working principles, benefits, limitations, performance, and cost of current breast cancer detection techniques. It is based on an extensive literature review focusing on published works reporting the main performance, cost, and comfort/compliance metrics considered.Conclusion:Due to limitations and drawbacks of existing breast cancer screening methods there is a need for better screening methods. Emerging, non-invasive methods offer promise to mitigate the issues particularly around comfort/pain and radiation dose, which would improve compliance and enable all ages to be screened regularly. However, these methods must still undergo significant validation testing to prove they can provide realistic screening alternatives to the current accepted standards.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianxing Zhang ◽  
Lishang Cai ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Dan Yan ◽  
Shulian Zhuang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To compare multiple breast cancer screening methods for evaluating breast non-mass-like lesions (NMLs) and to investigate the best screening method for breast non-mass-like lesions (NMLs). Methods: This retrospective study examined 253 patients aged 24 to 68 years who were diagnosed with breast NMLs from April 2017 to December 2019. All lesions were evaluated by MG, HHUS, and ABUS to determine BI-RADS classification, underwent pathological examination within six months or at least 2 years of follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) of MG, HHUS, and ABUS features in the prediction of malignancy were compared. Independent risk factors for malignancy were assessed using non-conditional logistic regression. Results: MG, HHUS, and ABUS findings significantly differed between benign and malignant breast NML, including internal echo, hyperechoic spot, peripheral blood flow, internal blood flow, catheter change, peripheral change, coronal features of ABUS, and structural distortion, asymmetry, and calcification in MG. ABUS was superior to MG and HHUS in sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, as well as in evaluating the necessity of biopsy and accuracy in identifying malignancy. MG was superior to HHUS in specificity, PPV, and accuracy in evaluating the need for biopsy. HHUS was distinctly superior to MG in sensitivity and NPV in determining malignancy; however, specificity, PPV, and accuracy were similar. Moreover, internal blood flow, calcification, and coronal plane feature were independent risk factors in distinguishing benign and malignant lesions. Conclusions: ABUS was superior to HHUS and MG in evaluating the need for biopsy and differentiating benign and malignant in breast NMLs. Compared to each other, HHUS and MG had their own relative advantages. Internal blood flow, calcification, and coronal plane feature were independent risk factors in identifying benign and malignant lesions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Ivanova ◽  
Ingela Lundin Kvalem

Abstract Background Mammography screening is the main method for early detection of breast cancer in Norway. Few studies have focused on psychological determinants of both attendance and non-attendance of publicly available mammography screening programs. The aim of the current study, guided by the Extended Parallel Process Model, was to examine how psychological factors influence defensive avoidance of breast cancer screening and intention to attend mammography. Methods Cross-sectional survey data from a community sample of women living in Norway aged ≥ 18 (N = 270), and without a history of breast cancer, was collected from September 2018 to June 2019 and used to investigate the relationships between the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) constructs and two outcomes: defensive avoidance of breast cancer screening and intention to attend mammography within the next two years. After adjusting for confounding factors, the hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses was conducted to assess the ability of the independent variables based on the EPPM to predict the two outcome variables. Significance level was chosen at p < 0.05. Results Multivariate analyses showed that defensive avoidance of breast cancer screening was predicted by lower perceived susceptibility to breast cancer (β =  − 0.22, p = 0.001), lower response efficacy of mammography screening (β =  − 0.33, p = 0.001), higher breast cancer fear (β = 0.15, p = 0.014), and checking breasts for lumps (β =  − 0.23, p = 0.001). Intention to attend mammography within the next two years was predicted by higher response efficacy of mammography screening (β = 0.13, p = 0.032), having a lower educational level (β =  − 0.10, p = 0.041), and regular previous mammography attendance compared to never attending (β = 0.49, p = 0.001). Conclusions The study revealed that defensive avoidance of breast cancer screening and intention to attend mammography were not predicted by the same pattern of psychological factors. Our findings suggest future health promotion campaigns need to focus not only on the psychological factors that encourage women’s decision to attend the screening, but also to counter factors that contribute to women’s decision to avoid it.


2011 ◽  
pp. 143-147
Author(s):  
Dongfeng Wu ◽  
Adriana Pérez

Breast cancer screening programs have been effective in detecting tumors prior to symptoms. Recently, there has been concern over the issue of over-diagnosis, that is, diagnosis of a breast cancer that does not manifest prior to death. Estimates for over-diagnosis vary, ranging from 7 to 52%. This variability may be due partially to issues associated with bias and/or incorrect inferences associated with the lack of probability modeling. A critical issue is how to evaluate the long-term effects due to continued screening. Participants in a periodic screening program can be classified into four mutually exclusive groups depending on whether individuals are diagnosed and whether their symptoms appear prior to death: True-earlydetection; No-early-detection; Over-diagnosis; and Not-sonecessary. All initially superficially healthy people will eventually fall into one of these four categories. This manuscript reviews the major methodologies associated with the over-diagnosis and long-term effects of breast cancer screening.


Author(s):  
Chantal Simon ◽  
Hazel Everitt ◽  
Françoise van Dorp ◽  
Nazia Hussain ◽  
Emma Nash ◽  
...  

This chapter in the Oxford Handbook of General Practice explores breast disease in general practice. It covers breast symptoms, benign breast disease, breast cancer screening, risk factors for breast cancer, and diagnosis and care for breast cancer.


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