Factors influencing the compliance of women age 50-69 years with breast cancer screening: a church based study

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Jamaican women, the highest occurence of breast cancer falls within the age group 55-64 years. This study sought to determine the compliance of women age 50-69 years with methods of early detection of breast cancer and the factors that affect non-compliance. A cross-sectional study was done among women age 50-69 years in Kingston and St. Andrew. Five Christian denominations were randomly selected and then one church was randomly selected from each denonination. Self-administered questionnaires were used as data collecting instruments. Knowledgable about breast cancer risk factors and screening methods was higher among persons with a higher level of education among those who received medical care at private facilities. Compliance with breast self examination and clinical breast examination were high (88 percent and 75 percent respectively)while compliance with mammography was low (39 percent). Significant factors, which influence breast cancer screening compliance, were educational background, income level, obtaining medical care from a private facility and having health insurance. There was inadequate adherence with breast cancer screening guidelines in this study. Compliance with screening mammography was low. The major barriers that existed to achieving a higher level of compliance among the women studied were lack of physician recommendation and the cost of screening mammograms (AU)