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Scientific Reports Mar 2024Early diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial for reducing mortality rates. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of demographics/social determinants of...
Early diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial for reducing mortality rates. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of demographics/social determinants of health on beliefs about the practice of self-breast examination, using mammogram and ultrasound in the context of breast cancer screening among Thai women in a hospital-based setting for implying program planning and future research. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two health centers in Chiang Mai Province from August 2021 to December 2021, involving 130 Thai women ages 40 to 70 years. Data were collected by a survey using a questionnaire to gather sociodemographic information, and health beliefs about breast cancer and screening behavior utilizing the modified Thai version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (MT-CHBMS). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and linear regression models were employed for examining association between sociodemographic factors and health beliefs about the practice of self-breast examination (BSE), using mammogram (MG) and ultrasound (UTS). Health insurance schemes were associated with Benefit-MG, Barrier-BSE, Barrier-MG and Barrier-UTS subscales. Additionally, monthly income was associated with Barrier-MG and Barrier-UTS subscales. The most common barriers reported were "embarrassment", "worry", and "takes too much time". To enhance breast cancer screening in Thailand, program planning and future research should focus on health insurance schemes, especially women with social security schemes, as they may be the most appropriate target group for intervention.
Topics: Female; Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Thailand; Cross-Sectional Studies; Sociodemographic Factors; Early Detection of Cancer; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Behavior
PubMed: 38556539
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58155-y -
Journal of Cancer Research and... Jan 2024Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple and cost-effective screening procedure in downstaging breast tumors.
CONTEXT
Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple and cost-effective screening procedure in downstaging breast tumors.
AIM
To assess the BSE practices and its associated knowledge and attitudes of rural women from Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN
A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, and snowball sampling was used to recruit the sample of rural women from Tirunelveli.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Women ages 18-60 willing to take part were included. Data were collected online through a self-developed questionnaire.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Responses were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to present the general details and responses of the rural women through percentages. Using the appropriate tests, the mean differences of the BSE attitudes based on the personal variables were computed using one-way ANOVA.
RESULTS
A total of 433 rural women (Mean age: 29.20 ± 9.35 years) from Tirunelveli responded to the online Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) questionnaire. Regular health checkups were undergone by 27.48% of women and 9.24% underwent breast cancer (BC) screening in the past. While 68.36% had heard of BC, 61% knew it could be detected in the early stages. Insufficient knowledge regarding BSE techniques was evident among the women. Knowledge about BC was highest among those earning more than 20,001 INR, women aged 36-45, widowed/separated/divorced women, and diploma graduates. Overall, BSE and BC knowledge score was low, with correspondingly low attitudes and practices.
CONCLUSION
Findings showed the KAP among rural Tirunelveli women to be low.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Breast Self-Examination; Cross-Sectional Studies; India; Pandemics; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Breast Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38554300
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_713_22 -
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Jun 2024Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in the world. Numerous studies have shown that the risk of metastatic disease increases with tumor volume. In this... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in the world. Numerous studies have shown that the risk of metastatic disease increases with tumor volume. In this context, it is useful to assess whether the regular practice of formal breast self-examination (BSE) as opposed to breast awareness has an impact on the number of cancers diagnosed, their stage, the treatments used and mortality.
DESIGN
The Commission of Senology (CS) of the Collège National de Gynécologie et Obstétrique Français (CNGOF) respected and followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation method to assess the quality of the evidence on which the recommendations were based.
METHODS
The CS studied 16 questions individualizing four groups of women (general population, women aged over 75, high-risk women, and women previously treated for breast cancer). For each situation, it was determined whether the practice of BSE versus abstention from this examination led to detection of more breast cancers and/or recurrences and/or reduced treatment and/or increased survival.
RESULTS
BSE should not be recommended for women in the general population, who otherwise benefit from clinical breast examination by practitioners from the age of 25, and from organized screening from 50 to 74 (strong recommendation). In the absence of data on the benefits of BSE in patients aged over 75, for those at high risk and those previously treated for breast cancer, the CS was unable to issue recommendations. Thus, if women in these categories wish to undergo BSE, information on the benefits and risks observed in the general population must be given, notably that BSE is associated with a higher number of referrals, biopsies, and a reduced quality of life.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Self-Examination; Breast Neoplasms; Aged; Middle Aged; Early Detection of Cancer; France; Adult; Gynecology; Obstetrics; Gynecologists; Obstetricians
PubMed: 38547580
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.103619 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2024Breast cancer remains a significant health concern among women globally. Despite advancements in awareness and diagnostic techniques, it persists as a leading cause of...
Exploring the Landscape of Breast Cancer Prevention among Chinese Residents in Italy: An In-Depth Analysis of Screening Adherence, Breast Self-Examination (BSE) Practices, the Role of Technological Tools, and Misconceptions Surrounding Risk Factors and Symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer remains a significant health concern among women globally. Despite advancements in awareness and diagnostic techniques, it persists as a leading cause of death, with profound impacts on affected individuals' quality of life. Primary and secondary prevention, including regular screenings and practices like breast self-examination (BSE), are pivotal in ensuring early diagnosis. The national health system (NHS) in Italy offers screenings for women aged 50-69 every two years, managed by the local health authority. However, the participation rates, especially among the Chinese female population residing in Italy, are not well understood.
METHODS
Using a snowball method, we electronically disseminated a survey to investigate how Chinese women living in Italy engage with available NHS screening programs. The survey also explores their practice of BSE and the use and impact of technological tools on prevention. Furthermore, the study aims to understand the subjects' depth of knowledge and misconceptions about breast cancer.
RESULTS
The data reveal a significant gap in breast cancer screening adherence and knowledge among Chinese women in Italy, with a notable discrepancy between the general population and those who have previously encountered cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
The results highlight the urgent need for interventions that are culturally sensitive, stressing that these actions are not only desirable but essential.
Topics: Female; Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Self-Examination; Early Detection of Cancer; Quality of Life; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Cross-Sectional Studies; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; China
PubMed: 38541307
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21030308 -
Preventive Medicine Reports May 2024To determine the association between personality characteristics and use of different cancer screenings.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between personality characteristics and use of different cancer screenings.
METHODS
We used data from the German National Cohort (NAKO; mean age was 53.0 years (SD: 9.2 years)) - a population-based cohort study. A total of 132,298 individuals were included in the analyses. As outcome measures, we used (self-reported): stool examination for blood (haemoccult test, early detection of bowel cancer), colonoscopy (screening for colorectal cancer), skin examination for moles (early detection of skin cancer), breast palpation by a doctor (early detection of breast cancer), x-ray examination of the breast ("mammography", early detection of breast cancer), cervical smear test, finger examination of the rectum (early detection of prostate cancer), and blood test for prostate cancer (determination of Prostate-Specific Antigen level). The established Big Five Inventory-SOEP was used to quantify personality factors. It was adjusted for several covariates based on the Andersen model. Unadjusted and adjusted multiple logistic regressions were computed.
RESULTS
A higher probability of having a skin examination for moles, for example, was associated with a higher conscientiousness (OR: 1.07, p < 0.001), higher extraversion (OR: 1.03, p < 0.001), higher agreeableness (OR: 1.02, p < 0.001), lower openness to experience (OR: 0.98, p < 0.001) and higher neuroticism (OR: 1.07, p < 0.001) among the total sample. Depending on the outcome used, the associations slightly varied.
CONCLUSIONS
Particularly higher levels of extraversion, neuroticism and conscientiousness are associated with the use of different cancer screenings. Such knowledge may help to better understand non-participation in cancer screening examinations from a psychological perspective.
PubMed: 38533391
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102677 -
Health Psychology and Behavioral... 2023Even though a few studies have been conducted, the result is inconsistent between studies. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is a widely used framework for predicting... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Even though a few studies have been conducted, the result is inconsistent between studies. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is a widely used framework for predicting and understanding health behaviors. In the study area, the theory of planned behavior ability to predict breast self-examination among women was not done before. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the efficacy of the Theory of Planned Behavior to predict breast self-examination among women.
METHODS
This study used a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies conducted from 2008 to 2018 globally. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed, Semantic Scholar, Hinari, and Google Scholar electronic databases were searched. The analysis was performed using STATA 17 software. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using forest plots, I Cochran's Q statistics, Funnel plots, and the Egger test respectively. Pooled analysis was conducted using the random-effects model of the DerSimonian-Laird method.
RESULTS
A total of 5 articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall Pooled Proportion of variance of the Theory of Planned Behavior ability to predict breast self-examination among women was explained at 38% (95%CI: 26.9, 49.1).
CONCLUSIONS
The overall Pooled Proportion of variance explained by the Theory of Planned Behavior ability to predict breast self-examination among women was low as compared to the original assumption of variance explained. While the Theory of Planned Behavior provides a useful framework for understanding health behaviors, it may not fully capture all the complex factors contributing to breast self-examination. Additionally, future studies should consider using alternative measures of variance explained to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the predictive power of the theory of planned behavior.
PubMed: 38532891
DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2023.2275673 -
Digital Health 2024Mobile Health apps could be a feasible and effective tool to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention and to support women to change their behaviour to a healthier... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Mobile Health apps could be a feasible and effective tool to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention and to support women to change their behaviour to a healthier lifestyle. The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics and quality of apps designed for breast cancer prevention and education.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search for apps covering breast cancer prevention topics in the Google Play and Apple App Store accessible from Germany using search terms either in German or in English. Only apps with a last update after June 2020 were included. The apps identified were downloaded and evaluated by two independent researchers. App quality was analysed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). Associations of app characteristics and MARS rating were analysed.
RESULTS
We identified 19 apps available in the Google Play Store and seven apps available in the Apple App Store that met all inclusion criteria. The mean MARS score was 3.07 and 3.50, respectively. Functionality was the highest-scoring domain. Operating system, developer (healthcare), download rates and time since the last update were significantly associated with overall MARS score. In addition, the presence of the following app functions significantly influenced MARS rating: breast self-examination tutorial, reminder for self-examination, documentation feature and education about breast cancer risk factors.
CONCLUSIONS
Although most of the apps offer important features for breast cancer prevention, none of the analysed apps combined all functions. The absence of healthcare professionals' expertise in developing apps negatively affects the overall quality.
PubMed: 38528967
DOI: 10.1177/20552076241234627 -
BMC Cancer Mar 2024
Correction: Effect of educational intervention on the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among female students at a private university in Southern Nigeria.
PubMed: 38528489
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12152-6 -
BMC Cancer Mar 2024In Nigeria, breast cancer (BC), a disorder marked by the unchecked growth of breast cells, has been the commonest cancer among women in Nigeria. Breast self-examination...
INTRODUCTION
In Nigeria, breast cancer (BC), a disorder marked by the unchecked growth of breast cells, has been the commonest cancer among women in Nigeria. Breast self-examination (BSE) is one of the suggested methods for screening for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. However, studies have reported inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes and poor practices of BSE among undergraduate female students. The study was designed as an interventional study to examine the effect of educational intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among female students in a private university in southern Nigeria.
METHODS
This pretest posttest design study was carried out on 103 students of Novena University at baseline in 2022, which were chosen through the use of simple random sampling. A validated questionnaire with components on demographics, knowledge, attitude, and BSE practice was used to gather the data. After that, the students participated in three hourly sessions of an educational intervention for two weeks. A month later, the students' data were once again collected, and SPSS 20 software was used to evaluate the results using the mean, paired t test, and logistic regression at the P < 0.05 level of significance.
RESULTS
The mean age of the respondents was 22.37 ± 1.92 years. Only 53 (51.3%) were aware of BSE. The mean knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE at pretest significantly increased at posttest after the educational intervention (1.58 ± 1.48 vs. 4.31 ± 1.15, 2.37 ± 1.27 vs. 4.80 ± 0.49 and 1.97 ± 0.09 vs. 5.81 ± 3.26, respectively). Furthermore, age and family history of BC were predictors of knowledge (OR = 4.00 95% CI = 0.29-41.99, OR = 141, 95% CI = 0.15-13.18), attitude (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 0.28-12.32, OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.24-8.34) and practice of BSE (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 0.38-18.41, OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 0.24-8.34) respectively.
CONCLUSION
The findings showed that using an educational intervention strategy will improve the knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE among undergraduate students.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Nigeria; Breast Self-Examination; Universities; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Cross-Sectional Studies; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 38504148
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12116-w -
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision... Mar 2024Risk-based breast cancer (BC) screening raises new questions regarding information provision and risk communication. This study aimed to: 1) investigate women's beliefs...
BACKGROUND
Risk-based breast cancer (BC) screening raises new questions regarding information provision and risk communication. This study aimed to: 1) investigate women's beliefs and knowledge (i.e., mental models) regarding BC risk and (risk-based) BC screening in view of implications for information development; 2) develop novel informational materials to communicate the screening result in risk-based BC screening, including risk visualizations of both quantitative and qualitative information, from a Human-Centered Design perspective.
METHODS
Phase 1: Interviews were conducted (n = 15, 40-50 years, 5 lower health literate) on women's beliefs about BC risk and (risk-based) BC screening. Phase 2: In three participatory design sessions, women (n = 4-6 across sessions, 40-50 years, 2-3 lower health literate) made assignments and created and evaluated visualizations of risk information central to the screening result. Prototypes were evaluated in two additional sessions (n = 2, 54-62 years, 0-1 lower health literate). Phase 3: Experts (n = 5) and women (n = 9, 40-74 years) evaluated the resulting materials. Two other experts were consulted throughout the development process to ensure that the content of the information materials was accurate. Interviews were transcribed literally and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis, focusing on implications for information development. Notes, assignments and materials from the participatory design sessions were summarized and main themes were identified.
RESULTS
Women in both interviews and design sessions were positive about risk-based BC screening, especially because personal risk factors would be taken into account. However, they emphasized that the rationale of risk-based screening and classification into a risk category should be clearly stated and visualized, especially for higher- and lower-risk categories (which may cause anxiety or feelings of unfairness due to a lower screening frequency). Women wanted to know their personal risk, preferably visualized in an icon array, and wanted advice on risk reduction and breast self-examination. However, most risk factors were considered modifiable by women, and the risk factor breast density was not known, implying that information should emphasize that BC risk depends on multiple factors, including breast density.
CONCLUSIONS
The information materials, including risk visualizations of both quantitative and qualitative information, developed from a Human-Centered Design perspective and a mental model approach, were positively evaluated by the target group.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Breast Density; Breast Neoplasms; Communication; Early Detection of Cancer; Emotions; Mass Screening; Aged
PubMed: 38500098
DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02483-6