Breast Cancer Perceptions and Screening Behaviours Among Korean Women in Australia

Breast cancer screening patterns and associated factors in Iranian women over 40 years

Screening is a key component of breast cancer early detection programs that can considerably reduce relevant mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to determine the breast cancer screening behavioral patterns and associated factors in women over 40 years of age. In this descriptive‑analytical cross‑sectional study, 372 over 40 years of age women visiting health centers in Tabriz, Iran, in 2023 were enrolled using cluster sampling. The data were collected using the sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, breast cancer perception scale, health literacy for Iranian adults scale, and the Breast Cancer Screening Behavior Checklist. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS version 16 using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses). In total, 68.3% of all participants performed breast self‑examination (BSE) (9.9% regularly, once per month), 60.2% underwent clinical breast examination (CBE) (8.9% regularly, twice per year), 51.3% underwent mammography (12.3% regularly, once per year), and 36.2% underwent sonography (3.8% regularly, twice per year). The findings also showed that women with benign breast diseases were more likely to undergo CBE (OR = 8.49; 95% CI 2.55 to 28.21; P < 0.001), mammography (OR = 8.84; 95% CI 2.98 to 10; P < 0.001), and sonography (OR = 18.84; 95% CI 6.40 to 53.33; P < 0.001) than others. Participants with low and moderate breast cancer perception scores were more likely to perform BSE than women with high breast cancer perception scores (OR = 2.20; 95% CI 1.21 to 4.00; P = 0.009) and women who had a history of benign breast disease were more likely to perform screening behaviors than others (OR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.27 to 4.80; P = 0.008). Women between the ages of 50 and 59 were more likely to undergo mammography (OR = 2.33; 95% CI 1.29 to 4.77; P = 0.008) and CBE (OR = 2.40; 95% CI 1.347 to 4.20; P = 0.003) than those ≥ 60 years. Given the low participation of women in regular breast cancer screening, it is suggested that health care providers highlight the need for screening at the specified intervals in their training programs. In addition, health authorities are recommended to use reminder systems to remind women, especially those over 40 years of age, of the best time for breast screening. Moreover, health care providers must seek to improve breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of women who visit health centers, which are the first level of contact with the healthcare system for the general population.

Breast Cancer Beliefs and Screening Practices among Syrian Refugee Women and Jordanian Women

Despite significant declines in breast cancer (BC) incidence in the West, this disease is widespread in Jordan, where cancer detection occurs at much advanced stages. This is particularly concerning for Syrian refugee women resettled in Jordan, who are less likely to undergo cancer preventative procedures because of poor health literacy and lack of health services access. The present work assesses and compares breast cancer awareness and breast cancer screening behaviors among Syrian refugee women and Jordanian women residing close to the Syrian-Jordanian border city of Ar-Ramtha. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated Arabic version of the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (BCSBQ). A total of 138 Syrian refugee women and 160 Jordanian women participated in the study. Results indicate that 93.6% of Syrian refugee women and Jordanian women ≥ 40 years of age reported never having undergone a mammogram. Syrian refugee women and Jordanian women reported low attitudes toward general health checkup (mean score for Syrian refugees 45.6 vs. 42.04 among Jordan women; p = 0.150). Barriers for BC screening were higher among Syrian refugees (mean score = 56.43) than Jordanian women (mean score = 61.99, p = 0.006). Women with higher education were more likely to report fewer barriers to screening (p = 0.027). The study documents a significant lack of BC screening awareness among Syrian refugee women and Jordanian women, indicating that future work is needed to alter current attitudes towards mammograms and early detection measures especially for Syrian refugee women and Jordanian women residing in rural areas of Jordan.

Knowledge and Factors Associated with Breast Cancer Self-Screening Intention among Saudi Female College Students: Utilization of the Health Belief Model

Breast cancer (BC) screening is vital, as it is linked to a greater likelihood of survival, more effective treatment, and better quality of life. One of the most extensively applied models for conceptualizing probable barriers and facilitators to the adoption of desired health behavior is the health belief model (HBM). This study aimed to assess the impact of health perception and knowledge on breast self-examination intention (BSE) using HBM. HBM measures specific factors (perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy) that impact one's intention to use BSE. Data were collected from female undergraduate students (n = 680) using a cross-sectional design, stratified simple random sampling, and a self-administered structured online questionnaire. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate our assumptions for students who intended to self-examine for BC. For demographic factors, we modified the multivariate model. Most respondents (93%) were under the age of 24 years. Female students from health colleges (48.5%), in their fourth academic year (42.6%), and from the southern region (57.6%) accounted for the majority of the sample. Respondents with a family history of BC were 9.7% of the total. Categories for age, college, region, residency, and BSE intention showed significant differences in their average knowledge scores. The survey revealed that 72.4% were aware of abnormal breast changes. Three constructs of the health belief model (perceived benefit, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy) are good predictors of BSE intention. Theory-based behavioral change interventions are urgently required for students to improve their prevention practices. Furthermore, these interventions will be effective if they are designed to remove barriers to BSE intention, improve female students' self-efficacy, and enlighten them on the benefits of self-examination.

Beyond language: Motivators and barriers to breast cancer screening among Korean-speaking women in Sydney Metropolitan, Australia

BACKGROUND

There are persistent disparities in breast screening participation rates between Australian-born women and women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Cancer Institute NSW statistics from 2015 show Korean speaking women had the second lowest breast screening participation rates when compared across all language groups.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to gain a better understanding of the motivators and barriers associated with participation in breast cancer screening among women from a Korean background living in the Sydney metropolitan area.

METHODS

Semi-structured individual interviews (n = 32) and small focus groups (n = 28) were conducted. Data from interviews and focus group discussions were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The findings highlight the barriers to access breast screening services extend beyond language to include perception, a lack of knowledge and understanding of the services offered, unfamiliarity with the Australian healthcare system and distrust in breast screening services.

CONCLUSION

Supporting Korean women to understand and navigate the Australian healthcare system plays an important role in increasing breast screening participation rates. Key strategies to provide this support include the delivery of culturally sensitive health promotion and community engagement as well as the provision of translated health information.

The Role of Education in Breast Cancer Beliefs and Screening Practices Among Korean Women - A quantitative study

INTRODUCTION

Cultural beliefs are influential factors that affect breast cancer screening practices among Korean women. The aim of this study was to examine the role of educational levels and compare the cultural beliefs associated with breast cancer screening practices among immigrant Korean women in Australia with those of their counterparts in Korea.

METHODS

A secondary analysis based on data from convenience samples of 245 and 249 Korean women living in Australia and Korea, respectively. Data were collected by the Korean version of Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Educational level has a significant association with Korean women's cultural beliefs about breast cancer and breast cancer screening practices regardless of country of residence.

DISCUSSION

Nurses working in multicultural societies should take cultural beliefs and the role of education into account while designing strategies to promote breast cancer screening practices among immigrant Korean women.

Evaluation of the Clinical and Imaging Findings of Breast Examinations in a Tertiary Facility in Ghana

Breast diseases have been one of the major battles the world has been fighting. In winning this fight, the role of medical imaging cannot be overlooked. Breast imaging reveals hidden lesions which aid physicians to give the appropriate diagnosis and definitive treatment, hence this study, to determine the clinical and imaging findings of breast examinations to document the radiologic features in our setting. This cross-sectional retrospective study reviewed the sociodemographics, imaging reports (mammography and ultrasonography with BI-RADS scores and their features), and the clinical data of 425 patients from September 2017 to September 2020 in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. 72 solid lesions with their histology reports were also reviewed. Data obtained were organized, coded, and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) version 20.0. The results obtained were presented in appropriate tables and charts. A chi-squared test was employed for associations and statistical significance was specified at p ≤ 0.05. 63.29% of the patients were married, but only 18.59% had a positive family history of breast cancer. BI-RADS scores 1(57.46%) and 2(27.99%) were the most recurrent findings. The most common BI-RADS 2, 3, 4, and 5 imaging features were benign-looking axillary lymph nodes (66.33%), well-defined solid masses (61.54%), ill-defined solid masses (42.86%), and ill-defined solid masses with suspicious-looking axillary lymph nodes (100.00%), respectively. The most frequent indications were routine screening (49.18%), mastalgia (26.59%), and painless breast masses (19.77%). There was significant association between duration of symptoms and breast cancer (p value = 0.007). In conclusion, routine breast screening and mastalgia were the topmost indications for breast imaging. BI-RADS 1 and 2 were the commonest BI-RADS scores, and benign-looking axillary lymph nodes and simple cysts were the most frequent imaging features for BI-RADS 2 and ill-defined solid masses and suspicious-looking axillary lymph nodes for BI-RADS 4 and 5.

Global Perceptions of Women on Breast Cancer and Barriers to Screening

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Breast cancer (BC) is a public health dilemma across the globe and a leading cause of mortality for women. Approximately 2.1 million newly diagnosed female BC cases occurred in 2018, comprising nearly 1 in 4 cancer cases among women. When BC is recognized in its early stages, successful treatment results can be achieved. Therefore, screening for BC is of paramount significance and routine screening mammography has been shown to be effective in reducing mortality from BC. Despite being considered a global health issue, national screening programmes are offered only in developed countries and BC is still often diagnosed in advanced stages.

RECENT FINDINGS

Disparities in screening exist not only between different countries but also between local and immigrant populations within a particular country. Low screening is attributed to low public awareness as well as numerous social, psychological, and geographical barriers to screening. This review addresses (a) the differences in BC awareness and screening across the globe, (b) the most important barriers and facilitators to screening, and (c) the potential role of health education programmes to increase BC awareness and promote BC screening programmes with the ultimate goal to achieve earlier stage diagnosis of BC.

Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors in Women Aged 40 Years and Over in a Semi-Urban Region in Turkey: Relationships with Health Beliefs

In this study, we aimed to determine the breast cancer screening behavior of women and to investigate the relationship between health beliefs and screening behaviors. The study was cross-sectional. It was conducted between April 2017 and June 2017 with 416 women aged ≥40. The Sociodemographic Information Form and the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale were used to collect data. In the statistical analysis, the number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson chi-square test, and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used. The rates for participating women performing breast self-examination, having clinical breast examination, and undergoing mammography were 11.8%, 8.9%, and 11.3%, respectively. Perceived susceptibility, seriousness, self-efficacy, benefits, health motivation, and perceived barriers were found to have strong associations with screening behaviors (p < 0.05). In this study, we found that few women performed breast self-examination, had clinical breast examination and mammography. In the present study, women perceived barriers related to both performing breast self-examination and undergoing mammography.