Psychological and social characteristics of attenders for breast screening |
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Authors: | R. Glynn Owens J. Daly K. Heron S. J. Leinster |
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Affiliation: | 1. Sub-department of Clinical Psychology , New Medical School, University of Liverpool , P.O. Box 147, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK;2. Department of Surgery , Royal Liverpool Hospital , Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK |
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Abstract: | Abstract Demographic characteristics, health behaviour and knowledge of breast cancer were assessed in 183 women from a regional breast screening unit and compared with those of 182 women from a breast clinic and 41 control subjects. A questionnaire yielded information on (i) demographic characteristics and cancer-related behaviours including breast self-examination (BSE), use of screening and promptness of presentation of breast symptoms in the clinic group, (ii) the extent and effects of knowledge about breast cancer and (iii) the role of Health Belief Model dimensions. Results showed the screening unit attenders to be significantly older and to be significantly more likely to be from higher social classes. Differences between the groups in health beliefs and knowledge did not remain once the effects of age and social class were partialled out. While attitudes towards BSE and its practice related to health beliefs. only a minority of the women indicated that they practised BSE with any regularity. The results suggest that screening is failing to attract a truly representative sample of the community and raise the possibility that this failure is a consequence of sociological as much as psychological factors. |
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Keywords: | Breast cancer screening breast self-examination health beliefs knowledge delay |
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