Breast Cancer Screening Practices and Related Health Beliefs among Taiwanese Nurses

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with early breast cancer

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with early breast cancer were updated and published online in 2023, and adapted, according to previously established standard methodology, to produce the Pan-Asian adapted (PAGA) ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of Asian patients with early breast cancer. The adapted guidelines presented in this manuscript represent the consensus opinions reached by a panel of Asian experts in the treatment of patients with breast cancer representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), Indonesia (ISHMO), India (ISMPO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO), co-ordinated by ESMO and KSMO. The voting was based on scientific evidence and was independent of the current treatment practices, drug access restrictions and reimbursement decisions in the different Asian regions represented by the 10 oncological societies. The latter are discussed separately in the manuscript. The aim is to provide guidance for the optimisation and harmonisation of the management of patients with early breast cancer across the different regions of Asia, drawing on the evidence provided by both Western and Asian trials, whilst respecting the differences in screening practices, molecular profiling, as well as the age and stage at presentation. Attention is drawn to the disparity in the drug approvals and reimbursement strategies, between the different regions of Asia.

Exploring the practice of Iranian adolescent females during menstruation and related beliefs: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Menstruation is a natural occurrence that women experience during their reproductive years and may encounter many years throughout their lifespan. Many adolescent females lack accurate knowledge about menstruation, so they may face issues from receiving incorrect information from unreliable sources. Our study aimed to investigate the practices and beliefs surrounding menstruation among Iranian adolescent females.

METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis. A purposeful sampling method was used to select 18 adolescent females from secondary and high schools located in the three regions of Neyshabur City-Iran. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS

Three main themes were extracted, consisting of lifestyle and related beliefs, lake of support, and awareness and information.

CONCLUSIONS

misconceptions and wrong behaviors during menstruation indicate that the lake of knowledge an traditional factors influence adolescent girls' health. The study provides the basis for intervention planning in this regard and different levels (individual, intrapersonal, health systems, and community).

Birth Cohort Effects in Breast Cancer Incidence: Global Patterns and Trends

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm in the world among women. The age-specific incidences and onset ages vary widely between Asian and Western countries/regions. Invasive breast cancer cases among women from 1997 to 2011 were abstracted from the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Taiwan Cancer Registry. Age-period-cohort analysis was performed to examine the trends. The cohort effect was prominent in South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand, possibly related to the timing of westernization. The risk of breast cancer initially rose with the birth cohorts in Hong Kong and India (both former British colonies), peaked, and then declined in recent birth cohorts. Unlike other Asian countries/regions, virtually no birth cohort effect was identified in the Philippines (a Spanish colony in 1565 and the first Asian country to adopt Western cultural aspects). Moreover, an at-most negligible birth cohort effect was identified for all ethnic groups (including Asian immigrants) in the United States. This global study identified birth cohort effects in most Asian countries/regions but virtually no impact in Western countries/regions. The timing of westernization was associated with the birth cohort effect.

Impact of health talks on knowledge, attitudes and perception of breast cancer screening and treatment amongst healthcare staff by a breast surgical unit in a public healthcare institution: a cross-sectional study

Background

In October 2019, surgeons from Changi General Hospital (CGH) Breast Centre delivered a series of health talk for its employees to assess the knowledge and perception of breast cancer screening and to improve the level of related knowledge amongst the institution’s healthcare workers. This was to enable CGH, a healthcare provider to not only care for our patients, but also to look after its staff.

Methods

141 hospital staff attended a 40-min talk followed by an open question and answer forum. Pre and post talk surveys were conducted to gauge knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and misconceptions towards breast cancer screening and treatment. Question domains were divided into (1) breast cancer knowledge, (2) breast cancer screening guidelines and (3) attitudes and perception of breast cancer screening and treatment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between demographics and performance in question domains.

Results

The overall response rate was 131 out of a total of 141 attendees (92.9%). The median age was 44 years old (range, 22–67), with nursing staff making up 40% of the cohort. Analysis showed statistically significant improvement in median score across all 3 domains. (p < 0.05) after the forum. We found that respondents who were women ≥ 40 years (eligible age for screening), had higher income, lived in larger housing types, had attended previous talks, had served > 10 years in healthcare and had personal encounter with breast cancer patients performed better. Surprisingly, being a nurse or having a university degree did not translate to a better score. 99% of respondents found the forum beneficial and would recommend it to others. Several knowledge gaps about breast cancer screening and misconceptions were identified. Future campaigns should focus on raising awareness of the national screening program BreastScreen Singapore. We aim to reinforce its recommendations, promote on the affordability and ready accessibility.

Conclusions

A simple Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign targeted at healthcare workers was found to be effective at educating hospital staff on breast cancer, screening practices and improving perception of screening and treatment practices. This may empower them to not only care for themselves but also to serve patients better.

Factors affecting mammography screening behaviour among rural Vietnamese women

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with mammography screening behaviour and its predictors among rural Vietnamese women.

METHOD

A predictive correlational study involving 120 women aged ≥ 40 years was conducted in the suburbs of Hanoi, Vietnam, in July 2018 by using Breast Cancer Awareness Measurement and the Champion Health Beliefs Model Scale. Mammography screening behaviour was assessed by asking participants about their previous mammography experience.

RESULTS

Only 16.7% of participants had undergone mammography screening. High education levels, high monthly family income, having family members or friends with breast cancer, and receiving physicians' recommendations increased the likelihood of participants screening for breast cancer. Mean scores on perceived susceptibility and perceived barriers differed significantly between participants who had and those who had not undergone screening (t = 4.31; p < .001; t = -5.05; p < .001, respectively). Perceived susceptibility and perceived barriers significantly increased the predictive power of the hierarchical logistic model (critical value = 6.16; [df = 2]; p = .046). Perceived barriers were the most significant predictors of screening behaviour (odds ratio 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71-0.99; p = .039).

CONCLUSION

Efforts are necessary to increase mammography awareness in the community and promote screening rates in Vietnam.

Breast Cancer Early Detection: An Academic-Community Partnership in the Philippines

A high proportion of patients with breast cancer in the Philippines present at an advanced stage and have a rapid, unfavorable outcome. Providing breast cancer education and early detection to this population is important to help reduce this health disparity. This article describes the impact of a train-the-trainer program, with mission groups traveling to the Philippines to promote female residents' breast cancer awareness, knowledge, and intent for future screening.

Health Beliefs of Nurses in Northern Thailand: A Q-Methodology Study

Introduction: Northern Thailand has a distinct culture and set of health beliefs. Nurses' beliefs influence approaches to care affecting health care outcomes. This study explored the content, origin, and sociocultural influences on health beliefs of Northern Thai nurses and how they influence clinical practice and education. Method: Q-methodology was used in this study. Data were collected with interviews using Q-cards, Q-sort distribution board, and a semistructured interview guide. Results: Data were collected from 30 clinical nurses and 30 nurses working in academia. Q-factor analysis produced three factors accounting for 48% of variance: personal experience, Thai and Buddhist beliefs, and contemporary beliefs. Discussion: Participants who felt strongly rooted in their culture and beliefs were homogeneous in recognizing the need for evidence-based practice. Nurses aware of the nature and sources of their beliefs and those of patients are well-placed to balance maintenance of cultural traditions with the need to provide evidence-based practice.