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Bhattacharjee A, Walsh D, Dasari P, Hodson LJ, Edwards S, White SJ, Turnbull D, Ingman WV. Factors Associated with Increased Knowledge about Breast Density in South Australian Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Screening. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:893. [PMID: 38473255 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: 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 on 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: Of the 350 women who participated, 61% were familiar with 'breast density' and 57% had 'some knowledge'. Prior breast density notification (OR = 4.99, 95% CI = 2.76, 9.03; p = 0.004), awareness (OR = 4.05, 95% CI = 2.57, 6.39; p = 0.004), younger age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96, 0.99; p = 0.02), and English as the language spoken at home (OR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.23, 8.77; p = 0.02) were independent predictors of 'some knowledge' of breast density. A significant proportion of participants (82%) expressed desire to ascertain their individual breast density. Conclusions: While knowledge of breast density in this Australian cohort is generally quite low, we have identified factors associated with increased knowledge. Further research is required to determine optimal interventions to increase breast density knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avisak Bhattacharjee
- Discipline of Surgical Specialties, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Woodville South, SA 5011, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - David Walsh
- Discipline of Surgical Specialties, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Woodville South, SA 5011, Australia
| | - Pallave Dasari
- Discipline of Surgical Specialties, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Woodville South, SA 5011, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Leigh J Hodson
- Discipline of Surgical Specialties, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Woodville South, SA 5011, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Suzanne Edwards
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Sarah J White
- Centre for Social Impact, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Deborah Turnbull
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Wendy V Ingman
- Discipline of Surgical Specialties, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Woodville South, SA 5011, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
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Biological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities in Mammographic Density and Breast Cancer Risk. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215391. [PMID: 34771552 PMCID: PMC8582527 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammographic density is an important risk factor for breast cancer; women with extremely dense breasts have a four to six fold increased risk of breast cancer compared to women with mostly fatty breasts, when matched with age and body mass index. High mammographic density is characterised by high proportions of stroma, containing fibroblasts, collagen and immune cells that suggest a pro-tumour inflammatory microenvironment. However, the biological mechanisms that drive increased mammographic density and the associated increased risk of breast cancer are not yet understood. Inflammatory factors such as monocyte chemotactic protein 1, peroxidase enzymes, transforming growth factor beta, and tumour necrosis factor alpha have been implicated in breast development as well as breast cancer risk, and also influence functions of stromal fibroblasts. Here, the current knowledge and understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms that lead to high mammographic density and the associated increased risk of breast cancer are reviewed, with particular consideration to potential immune factors that may contribute to this process.
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Vernon E, Gottesman Z, Warren R. The value of health awareness days, weeks and months: A systematic review. Soc Sci Med 2020; 268:113553. [PMID: 33280924 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the value of awareness days, weeks, and months as found in peer-reviewed research and highlight any related trends. METHODS A systematic review was conducted across four electronic databases for articles published between 1970 and July 2020. The researchers reviewed articles which included awareness days, weeks, or months in the title or abstract and extracted articles which used quantitative analysis to assess the impact of such campaigns. RESULTS The 73 included articles were separated into categories based on outcome measure(s) with 12 articles included in more than one category. Of the 31 articles which examined online activity outcomes, the vast majority reported the awareness day, week, or month in question positively correlated with increased activity. Of the 14 articles focused on knowledge outcomes, those which focused on specific day, week, or month sub-interventions with targeted populations had relatively greater success. The 29 studies that examined the impact of awareness days, weeks, and months on health outcomes reported mixed results. Another twelve studies provided treatment insights based on convenience sample research conducted during awareness days, weeks, and months. The majority of articles across all outcome categories did not examine costs. CONCLUSION Although online activity seemed to generally increase during the awareness days, weeks, and months studied, the relationship between this increase and improved health behaviors and outcomes remains unclear. In addition, there is a paucity of research pertaining to the cost and cost effectiveness of such campaigns. Future research in this area needs to focus more on health outcome impacts and include an examination of cost effectiveness when possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Vernon
- Department of Economics, Seattle University, 901 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA.
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