• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.31-34
• /
• 2015

While mammography has been used for diagnosis of breast cancer in Kazakhstan for a long period, published data are very limited. Recently stress has been placed on increasing the accuracy by double reading of mammograms. Here we provide an overview of breast cancer screening in the different regions of Kazakhstan with data on the stages of cancers detected. A total 459,816 women aged 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 years were screened in 2012 and 379,903 in the first 9 months of 2013. Clear differences in levels of detection were noted between urban and rural residents, the latter demonstrating lower rates for both screening and cancer detection. Women aged 50 were more likely to undergo screening than their counterparts aged 60. While there were no clear relationships evident between screening rates and stage or numbers of breast cancers observed, this might be due to a number of complicating factors like geographical variation in risk factors as well as ethnicity. Future analyses should focus on the efficacy of mammography in Kazakhstan to reduce mortality.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the relationships between psychosocial characteristics and changes in the stage of breast cancer screening behavior. Methods : The 474 study subjects were randomly sampled from 21,459 women(age range, 40-70 years) who were eligible for the Korean National Cancer Screening Program in 2006 in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do. The information, including behaviors and sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes, subjective norms and self-efficacy, was collected by trained interviewers via home visits. The breast cancer screening stages were grouped as precontemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance and relapse, according to Rakowski. Results : Of the 474 women, 18.8% were in the precontemplation stage, 23.3% were in the contemplation stage, 13.1% were in the action stage, 36.6% were in the maintenance stage, and 8.2% were in the relapse stage. The distribution of stages was associated with attitude, subjective norms and self-efficacy(p for trend<0.01). To investigate the overall relationship between the variables, we conducted a linear structural equation model analysis based on the theory of planned behavior. The subjective norms and self-efficacy influenced the stage of the women's screening behavior. Conclusions : We should target on self-efficacy about the screening behavior of women by performing timely, thoughtful interventions. The support from family members, friends and other people is crucial for women to undergo breast cancer screening and to improve the breast cancer screening rate.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.46-51
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for breast cancer and early screening behavior in women in the community. Method: The participants were 125 women residing in W city. Data was collected using an instrument developed by the researchers. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics, and the $x^2$ test. Result: For risk based on the Gail Model, age (above 50 years) had a distribution of 24.8%, first degree family history, 4.9%, age at first full term pregnancy, 13.8%, and benign breast cancer history, 4.9%. For risk based on other common risk factors, menopause had a distribution of 20.7%, did not breast feed, 15.4%, history of HRT, 7.3%, meat preference, 35.0%, and history of smoking or drinking, 2.4% and 43.5%, respectively. There was a significant difference in BSE and mammography screening behavior ($x^2=22.5$, p<.00), but no difference in distribution of risk factors and screening behavior. Conclusion: For effective prevention of breast cancer, it is necessary to develop an instrument for risk assessment and, through assessment, select women at high risk. It is also necessary to provide education and appropriate recommendations on screening behavior.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.7
• /
• pp.3271-3274
• /
• 2012

Purpose : This study was performed to assess whether the weight status is associated with screening rates of breast and cervical cancer in Korean women. Methods: Study participants included women aged between 30 and 80 years from the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2009. Body mass index was classified into ${\sim}18.4kg/m^2$ (underweight), $18.5{\sim}22.9kg/m^2$ (normal), $23{\sim}24.9kg/m^2$ (overweight), $25.0{\sim}29.9kg/m^2$ (moderate obesity) and $30.0kg/m^2$~ (severe obesity) according to the Asia Pacific Standards of WHO recommended definition of obesity. Screening rates of breast and cervical cancer were estimated by the recommendation of the National Cancer Screening Program of the National Cancer Center, Korea. Results : The overall screening rates for breast and cervical cancer were 51.3% and 50.1%, respectively. After covariate adjustment, the screening rates for breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.51 to 0.97) and cervical cancer (adjusted odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.53 to 0.94) were significantly lower in the women with severe obesity. Conclusion: Obesity is associated with lower compliance with breast and cervical cancer screening guidelines in Korean women.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.12 no.11
• /
• pp.246-257
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This study was aimed to grasp the stages of change in breast cancer screening of the nurses and general women who were over 20 and under 50 and specify the factors which affected the stages of change in breast cancer screening, based on Precaution Adoption Process Model. Methods : This study was conducted for 158 people who consisted of the nurses and general women who were over 20 and under 50. Results : As a result of examining the factors of cues to action and the belief in cancer screening according to the stages of change in the breast cancer screening of the nurses and general women, there was not a statistically significant difference and the perceived barriers showed a statistically significant difference in the stage of behavioral decision, the fifth stage. Conclusion : It is necessary to approach the individuals with the recommendation of cancer screening through the people around them and differentiated strategies considering the stages of change in cancer screening in order to induce the behavioral change in breast cancer screening, and develop and apply the strategies to enhance the severity perceived on the breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.8
• /
• pp.3463-3471
• /
• 2015

Background: The principal aim of health service providers in the field of breast cancer is to detect and treat lesions at an appropriate time. Therefore, identification of barriers to screening can be very helpful. The present study aimed to systematically review the qualitative studies for extracting and reporting the barriers of screening for breast cancer from the womans perspective. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review; Pubmed, Google Scholar, Ovid Scopus, Cochrane Library, Iranmedex, and SID were searched using the keywords: screening barriers, cancer, qualitative studies, breast and their Persian equivalents, and the needed data were extracted and analyzed using an extraction table. To assess the quality of the studies, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool was used. Results: From 2,134 related articles that were found, 21 articles were eventually included in the study. The most important barriers from the point of view of 1,084 women were lack of knowledge, access barriers (financial, geographical, cultural), fear (of results and pain), performance of service providers, women's beliefs, procrastination of screening, embarrassment, long wait for getting an appointment, language problems, and previous negative experiences. Articles' assessment score was 68.9. Conclusions: Increasing women's knowledge, reducing the costs of screening services, cultural promotion for screening, presenting less painful methods, changing beliefs of health service providers, provision of privacy for giving service, decreasing the waiting time, and providing high quality services in a respectful manner can be effective ways to increase breast cancer screening.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.186-194
• /
• 2008

Objectives : This study describes trends in the socioeconomic disparities in breast cancer screening among US women aged 40 or over, from 2000 to 2005. We assessed 1) the disparities in each socioeconomic dimension; 2) the changes in screening mammography rates over time according to income, education, and race; and 3) the sizes and trends of the disparities over time. Methods : Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2000 to 2005, we calculated the age-adjusted screening rate according to relative household income, education level, health insurance, and race. Odds ratios and the relative inequality index (RII) were also calculated, controlling for age. Results : Women in their 40s and those with lower relative incomes were less likely to undergo screening mammography. The disparity based on relative income was greater than that based on education or race (the RII among low-income women across the survey years was 3.00 to 3.48). The overall participation rate and absolute differences among socioeconomic groups changed little or decreased slightly across the survey years. However, the degree of each socioeconomic disparity and the relative inequality among socioeconomic positions remained quite consistent. Conclusions : These findings suggest that the trend of the disparity in breast cancer screening varied by socioeconomic dimension. Continued differences in breast cancer screening rates related to income level should be considered in future efforts to decrease the disparities in breast cancer among socioeconomic groups. More focused interventions, as well as the monitoring of trends in cancer screening participation by income and education, are needed in different social settings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.21
• /
• pp.9499-9503
• /
• 2014

This study aimed to examine the relationship between body image satisfaction and breast self-screening behaviors and intentions. The sample for this cross-sectional study consisted of 842 female university students who were recruited from a number of public and private universities. Data were obtained between the months of November and December, 2013, using multistage random cluster sampling. Main research variables were breast cancer screening behavior and intentions, demographic factors, and the total scores on each of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-Appearance Scales) subscales. Results of multivariate analysis showed that having higher satisfaction and more positive evaluation of appearance were related to having performed breast self-examination more frequently in the last year and intending to perform breast self-examination more frequently in the next year. Longitudinal research can potentially provide detailed information about overall body image satisfaction and breast cancer screening behavior among various communities.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.273-281
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study was to explore the effects of breast cancer education for college students on their mother's breast cancer screening promotion. Methods: This study used a one-group pretest and posttest design. Data were collected from September to November, 2007 from a sample of 80 college students and their mothers using a survey questionnaire, which asked about demographic variables, concerns over health and breast cancer, communication, stage of change and attitude (pros and cons) related to breast cancer, and confidence in breast self-examination. The college students received education about breast cancer for 50 minutes and then they educated their mothers about breast cancer. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and paired t-test. Results: The mean age of the college students was 22.0 years, and that of their mothers 49.4 years with a range from 43 to 58 years. After receiving education on breast cancer, there were significant changes in the mean scores of concerns about health and breast cancer, communication, pros in mammography, and confidence in practicing breast self-examination. Conclusion: This study indicates that education on breast cancer to mothers through their college-age daughters is effective and can be utilized to promote breast cancer screening for women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.16
• /
• pp.6863-6870
• /
• 2015

Background: Breast cancer accounted for almost 25% of all cancers in women globally in 2012. Although breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in India, there is no organised national breast cancer screening programme. Local studies on the burden of breast cancer are essential to develop effective context-specific strategies for an early detection breast cancer programme, considering the cultural and ethnic heterogeneity in India. This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about breast cancer in rural women in Central India. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross sectional study was conducted in Wardha district, located in Maharashtra state in Central India in 2013. The sample included 1000 women (609 rural, 391 urban) aged 13-50 years, selected as representative from each of the eight development blocks in the district, using stratified cluster sampling. Trained social workers interviewed women and collected demographic and socio-economic data. The instrument also assessed respondents' knowledge about breast cancer and its symptoms, risks, methods of screening, diagnosis and treatment, as well as their attitudes towards breast cancer and selfreported practices of breast cancer screening. Chi-square and t-test were applied to assess differences in the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice (the outcome variables) between urban and rural respondents. Multivariable linear regression was conducted to analyse the relationship between socio-demographic factors and the outcome variables. Results: While about two-thirds of rural and urban women were aware of breast cancer, less than 7% in rural and urban areas had heard about breast self-examination. Knowledge about breast cancer, its symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, and treatment was similarly poor in both rural and urban women. Urban women demonstrated more positive attitudes towards breast cancer screening practices than their rural counterparts. Better knowledge of breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment correlated significantly with older age, higher levels of education, and being office workers or in business. Conclusions: Women in rural Central India have poor knowledge about breast cancer, its symptoms and risk factors. Breast self-examination is hardly practiced, though the willingness to learn is high. Positive attitudes towards screening provide an opportunity to promote breast self-examination.