Breast cancer-preventive behaviors: exploring Iranian women’s experiences

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer-preventive behaviors are critical for community and women’s health. Although many studies have addressed women’s knowledge and attitudes toward breast cancer, little information is available about their experiences of breast cancer preventive behaviors. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Iranian women regarding preventive behaviors.MethodsThis was a qualitative study. A sample of Iranian women aged 30 years and over was selected purposefully. Data collected through focus group and semi-structured audiotaped interviews and were analyzed by conventional content analysis.ResultsThe following five main themes emerged from the analysis: attitude toward breast cancer and preventive behaviors, stress management, healthy lifestyle, perceived social support and individual/environmental barriers. The findings showed that women were highly motivated to preventive behaviors of breast cancer but faced considerable challenges.ConclusionsThe findings indicated that increased awareness, positive attitudes, stronger motivational factors, and fewer barriers toward preventive behaviors are most important parameters that might encourage women to practice breast cancer-preventive behaviors.

Perception of Breast Cancer Screening among Iranian Women without Experience of Mammography: A Qualitative Study

“…The interviews showed fear of screening results, embarrassment, doubts, worry, and possible pain that this was consistent with previous quantitative studies that shown lack of knowledge, fear, and misconceptions about breast cancer screening among women (Gürsoy, 2009;Kawar, 2013;khazaee-pool, 2014). Women scared that they might get a breast cancer if they go screening associated with the consequences of screening, risk of losing femininity, husband's separation, and social stigma.…”

“…Women scared that they might get a breast cancer if they go screening associated with the consequences of screening, risk of losing femininity, husband's separation, and social stigma. Similarly, fear of social stigma, losing femininity and sexuality by those who go for screening was also reported (Engelman, 2012;Filippi, 2013;khazaee-pool, 2014). As reported in another study, our findings also highlighted decision about performing breast cancer screening was influenced by perception of women about their breasts (Al Dasoqi, 2013).…”

“…Women perceived that their main function is to attend of the family and children. Our findings consist with previous findings in which social support from family and husband could positively encourage women to improve their breast cancer screening (Gamarra, 2009;Kawar, 2013;khazaee-pool, 2014). Also Trigoni found that family commitments and busy life were main reasons for their delayed mammography screening (Trigoni, 2008).…”

Exploring breast cancer preventive lifestyle and social support of Iranian women: a study protocol for a mixed-methods approach

“…Multiple risk factors may enhance the odds of developing breast cancer, but lifestyle factors seem to have a larger impact on it. Prevention has been proposed as an effective method to reduce the burden of breast cancer [4, 5]. Furthermore, a health-promoting lifestyle has been recommended for breast cancer prevention [6].…”

Farsi Version of the Mammography Self-efficacy Scale for Iranian Women

“…In addition, among Iranian women, this disease tends to be diagnosed at advanced stages 2 ; this may be because of numerous social and cultural misconceptions and religious attitudes of Iranian population regarding breast cancerpreventive behaviors. 2 The most beneficial means of decreasing breast cancer and its mortality rate is early detection. 3 Screening behaviors including mammography, clinical breast examination, as well as breast self-examination are considered to be effective methods for detecting this disease.…”