Mammography perceptions and practices among women aged 30-49: The role of screening programme availability and cultural affiliation

Patient Educ Couns. 2020 Feb;103(2):369-375. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.09.001. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the role of systematic screening programme availability and cultural affiliation as drivers of mammography perceptions/practices among women aged 30-49, who are not eligible for screening.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey about mammography perceptions/practices among N = 918 Swiss women (30-49), across three cultural-linguistic regions (Swiss-German, Swiss-French, Swiss-Italian) and 26 cantons.

Results: In cantons offering systematic screening programmes, women appeared more likely to ask for a mammogram, felt more susceptible to breast cancer, and perceived more benefits to screening. Swiss-German women engaged less in screening and felt less susceptible to breast cancer than women in other cultural-linguistic regions. Within the Swiss-German region, women living in cantons with programmes were more likely to ask for a mammogram than in cantons without.

Conclusions: Programme availability and cultural affiliation both appear related to young women's screening perceptions/practices. While the interaction between these factors should be further explored, this study provides some preliminary evidence that cultural affiliation is the more important driver.

Practice implications: Health communication efforts should consider the impact of these drivers on women's intentions to have a mammogram, prior to the recommended age. Tailored communication - public and interpersonal - should be directed towards facilitating informed decision-making and avoidance of mammography overuse.

Keywords: Attitudes and behaviours; Breast cancer; Cross-sectional survey; Cultural differences; Mammography screening; Switzerland; Systematic screening programme availability; Women aged 30–49.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Female
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Mammography / psychology*
  • Mammography / statistics & numerical data
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Mass Screening / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Switzerland
  • Women's Health
  • Young Adult