Factors that influence mammography screening behaviour: A qualitative study of Greek women's experiences
Section snippets
Background
Breast cancer is the third largest cause of cancer deaths in Europe (Ferlay et al., 2007). It accounts for 29% of all cancer incidences (Linos, 2005; Ioannidou-Mousaka, 2006).
Early detection of breast cancer can decrease mortality rates. Indeed mortality resulting from breast cancer has decreased by an average of 1.7% per year in the European Union during the period 1995 to 2000, mainly due to early diagnosis and effective treatment (Levi et al., 2007). However, despite the general decrease of
Design
The study was conducted in Athens (Greece), using questionnaires and interviews as data collection tools. Prior to the interviews a survey was conducted in order to recruit the sample for the interviews and to provide descriptive information about the sample. For the analysis of the interviews, a qualitative, interpretative approach was adopted.
The TTM was utilized to guide and influence the formation of the interviews. Questions on women's breast screening behaviour stage were used, influenced
Results
In this paper, the findings revealed from the interviews are presented. Findings from the analysis of the questionnaires have been presented elsewhere (Kaltsa et al., 2012).
Table 1 presents the demographic characteristics of the interviewees. The majority of the interviewees belonged to the age groups 40–49 and 50–59. Most of them were married, having an advanced level of education. Six women out of the total 33 had a history of breast cancer in their family, while one of them had been treated
Discussion
The nature of interaction that occurs in women's lives was identified as very influential in relation to subsequent breast screening behaviour; possibly more influential than anticipated. The interaction women had with their immediate social networks, such as family, close friends and school, appeared to have more influence on their screening behaviour, compared to the influence arising from their interaction with their broader networks. Such influences impacted on women's beliefs, perceptions,
Conclusions
Influences arising from the interviewees' interactions with their social networks appeared to be of essential importance in relation to their mammography screening behaviour. This study provides insight on the direction and level of such influences. The influence arising from women's broader networks ranged from moderate to low, while influences that arose from their immediate networks seemed to be of fundamental importance. It was the quality of interactions between women and their social
Conflict of interest
No Conflict of Interest.
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Introduction
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Introduction
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- 1
Current Address: Ag. Sofia Children's University Hospital, Thivon & Papadiamantopoulou, 115 27 Goudi, Athens, Greece.
- 2
Current address: Centre for Integrated Healthcare Research, School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, EH11 4BN Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
- 3
Current address: Cancer and Palliative Care, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD Nottingham, UK.