What information do public organizations provide to Belgian women on primary prevention of breast cancer?

Abstract

Women need to be adequately informed about risk factors and risk reduction strategies for breast cancer to seek optimal primary prevention care. The aim of this study was to determine the amount and content of written information published by Belgian health services and related to primary prevention of breast cancer. We collected all available French language brochures and leaflets related to breast cancer primary prevention and analyzed which risk factors and risk reduction strategies were mentioned. Risk factors and prevention strategies were seldom mentioned. Among the 21 selected leaflets, pertinent to the patient, alcohol was mentioned in eight leaflets; age and genetic predisposition in five; overweight/obesity, personal history of breast cancer, and exercise in four; hormonal treatment in three; family history in two; earlier high-risk benign lesions in one, and ethnicity, breast density, and earlier chest radiation therapy in none. Lifestyle modifications were described in nine, but not one mentioned chemoprevention and risk reduction surgeries. As breast cancer risk reduction now represents an achievable medical objective for women, available written information to women must be improved to help them make an informed choice regarding risk reduction strategies.

Cancer control and prevention in Europe

“…All these areas have been covered by the EJCP over recent years, and remain among its priorities in the foreseeable future (Almquist et al, 2009;Baumeister et al, 2009;Boffetta et al, 2009;Carnide et al, 2009;Engeset et al, 2009;Inoue et al, 2009;Iranshahi et al, 2009;Kountouri et al, 2009;Mann et al, 2009;Mathew et al, 2009;Panneerselvam et al, 2009;Papadopoulos et al, 2009;Paschke et al, 2009;Rhee et al, 2009;Sangeetha et al, 2009;Solanas et al, 2009;Tavani et al, 2009;Wang et al, 2009;Alexander et al, 2010;Alfonso et al, 2010;Ataee et al, 2010;Deandrea et al, 2010;Fagherazzi et al, 2010;Fares et al, 2010;Hellmann et al, 2010;Jedrychowski et al, 2010;Leem et al, 2010;Liebens et al, 2010;Maskarinec et al, 2010;Mu et al, 2010;Olsen et al, 2010;Peng et al, 2010;Rabstein et al, 2010;Roswall et al, 2010;Sonoda et al, 2010;Tanwar et al, 2010;Williams, 2010;Abranches et al, 2011;Alexander et al, 2011;Aschebrook-Kilfoy et al, 2011;…”