Factors associated with increased knowledge about breast density in women undergoing breast cancer screening

Abstract

Purpose Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and can impede detection of cancer by mammography. There is growing awareness of breast density in women attending breast cancer screening, however it is unclear whether this awareness is associated with increased knowledge. This study aims to evaluate breast density knowledge among Australian women attending breast cancer screening. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted among women undergoing breast cancer screening at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Breast/Endocrine outpatient department. Participants were provided with a questionnaire to assess knowledge, awareness and desire to know their own breast density. Result A consecutive sample of 427 women were invited, and 350 women responded (response rate 82%). Overall, 61% had heard the term ‘breast density’ before and 57% answered at least two of five questions about breast density correctly. Prior breast density notification (OR = 3.59, 95%CI = 2.03, 6.36; p < 0.001), breast density awareness (OR = 2.68, 95%CI = 1.72, 4.18; p < 0.001), younger age (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.95, 0.98; p < 0.001), and English as the language spoken at home (OR = 2.93, 95%CI = 1.14, 7.54; p = 0.03) were independent predictors of ‘some knowledge’ of breast density. A significant proportion of participants (82%) expressed desire to ascertain their individual breast density. Conclusion While knowledge of breast density in this Australian cohort is generally quite low, we have identified factors associated with increased knowledge. Given that the majority of participants expressed the desire to know individual breast density, further studies are warranted to determine the optimal interventions to increase breast density knowledge.