Prevalence of breast cancer in breast sample reports in Iran, 2001-2004

Translation and Factor Analysis of the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illnesses 8-Item Version Among Iranian Women With Breast Cancer

Background:

Cancer stigma is rarely addressed among Iranian population and patients. The current study aimed at translating and examining the construct validity of the stigma scale for chronic illnesses 8-item (SSCI-8) among Iranian women with breast cancer.

Methods:

In the current study, a total of 223 patients aged 19-75 years were recruited from three cancer centers in Tehran, Iran, from 2014 to 2015. Forward-backward translation method was used. The item-total correlation was evaluated. Exploratory factor analysis employing maximum likelihood method and direct Oblimin rotation was conducted. Reliability was assessed using composite reliability (CR). Average variance explained (AVE) was used for convergent/divergent validity.

Results:

The items mean was 1.47 (0.19), the scale mean 11.75 (5.57); the inter-item correlations were positive and significant (P <0.0001). A two-factor solution with seven eligible items (five for enacted and two for internalized stigma) showed the model fitness. The CR for the total scale, as well as enacted and internalized facets was 0.78, 0.89, and 0.79, respectively; the AVE was 0.66 for each latent variable.

Conclusion:

The Persian version of SSCI-7 was found as a reliable and valid abbreviated instrument to assess experiences of enacted and internalized stigma among Iranian women with breast cancer.

The relationship of social support concept and repeat mammography among Iranian women

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer ranks as the first most common cancer among the Iranian women. The regular repeat of mammography with 1-2 year intervals leads to the increased efficiency of early detection of breast cancer. The present study examined the predictors of repeat mammography. It was hypothesized that higher social support is connected with mammography repeat.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 women 50 years and older in Sanandaj, Iran. Data was collected by the questionnaire including information on socio demographical variables and measuring social support level. Data was analyzed by SPSS16 software. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictive power of demographic variables and dimensions of social support for repeat mammography.

RESULTS

Women aged 50-55 years had three times odds of repeat mammography compared to women aged 56-60 years) OR, 3.02). Married women had greater odds of repeat mammography compared to single women (P < 0.006). The probability of repeat mammography in women with higher social support was 0.93 times greater than the women with lower social support (OR, 0.93; 95 % CI, 0.91-0.95; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Iranian women are less likely repeat mammography than other Asian women. Identifying the associations between perceived social support and repeat mammography may offer detailed information to allow for future study and guide the development of interventions not only for Iranian women but also for similar cultural that received pay too little attention to date in the breast cancer literature.