Knowledge and attitude of women regarding breast cancer screening tests in Eastern Iran

Abstract

IntroductionAccording to recent statistics, there has been a rapid growth of breast cancer in developing countries. Thus, early detection is essential. This study is based on the perception of people in the Northeast of Iran regarding breast cancer screening.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 1469 women were selected randomly in the period from April to November 2016. The study population consisted of women or their companions referring to outpatient clinics or people in public urban areas who filled out a breast cancer screening questionnaire in an interview.ResultsThe patients’ age was in the range of 14 to 84 years (mean = 38.8). More than 84% of interviewees were not informed of breast cancer and screening tests. The main reasons mentioned by patients for their failure to do screening tests was ‘absence of any symptom or problem’ and ‘they did not think it was necessary’.There was not a significant difference between income level, marital status and knowledge of people about breast cancer screening tests (P > 0.05). However, employment, education level and family history had a positive effect on people’s awareness of breast cancer and its screening tests (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe lack of knowledge in people from low socio-economic classes was the main barrier to breast cancer screening. In this regard, organizing training programs by physicians and the media can help raise screening rates.

Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Screening Methods among Rural Women in Southwest Nigeria: A Mixed Method Analysis

“…This supports a study that shows that limited resources remain a barrier when it comes to breast cancer screening among women (Anyanwu, Egwuonwu and Ihekwoaba, 2012). Another scholar opined that women in low-income populations are faced with financial incapacitation, which might affect their decision to perform breast cancer screening (Izanloo et al, 2018).…”

Awareness of Breast Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms and Breast Self-Examination Among Omani Female Teachers: A cross-sectional study

“…24,25 Similar observations have previously been made in developed and developing countries, with participants showing poor understanding of major BC risk factors. [27][28][29][30][31][32] Because the majority of female teachers involved in the current study had only goodto-poor knowledge of BC, the results indicate that an educational programme is needed to increase awareness of BC risk factors. Unsatisfactory knowledge of BC risk factors was observed with risk factors such as non-breastfeeding, being overweight, having their first pregnancy after 30 years of age, having menopause after the age of 50 and doing less physical activity.…”

“…This finding is much higher than knowledge rates for BSE seen in some other studies. 24,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Nevertheless, Omani women's attitudes towards BSE need improvement, since only 57% of participants indicated practicing BSE. Other studies in Saudi Arabia reported 67.6% of participants had never tried BSE.…”

Relationship of fear and fatalism with breast cancer screening among women using health belief model

“…This is consistent with Ahmadian and Samah's (2012) findings in Iran, which revealed that most women were antipathetic to BSE and other screening practices that involved their bodies being touched by and exposed to physicians, so such screening options were habitually ignored by them. Aside from body issues and cultural sensitivity associated with screening measures themselves, many women worldwide are negligent to perform screening because of a "lack of any manifestations of cancer" and the view that "such screening practices were unnecessary" (Izanloo et al, 2018); however, this general passivity is compounded in contexts where fatalism and fear are identified as pervasive obstacles (Smith et al, 2005). A study in China also reported that a lack of time and costs are major reasons for Chinese women refrain from performing mammography testing (Chua et al, 2005).…”