201794 Primary care physicians' perceptions and practices regarding breast cancer prevention education, screening, and treatment: Preliminary Findings of a Community Profile

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: 12:50 PM

Joyce E. Balls, PhD , AHEC Program Office, College of Medicine, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Mina Coman, MS , Department of Health Education and Rehabilitative Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Timothy R. Jordan, PhD, MEd , Department of Public Health, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Amy J. Thompson, PhD, CHES , Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Brian Fink, PhD , Department of Public Health, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Background: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. The prevalence of breast cancer NW Ohio is higher than the state and national rates. Primary care physicians play an important role in early detection.

Purpose: To assess primary care physicians' perceptions and practices regarding breast health education and screening.

Methods: A valid, 4-page questionnaire was mailed (4-waves) to a random selection of primary care physicians in an 18-county region in Northern Ohio. The questionnaire assessed physicians' current educational practices, breast health counseling, knowledge of mammography guidelines, perceptions of patient risk, barriers to breast health patient education, and outcome expectations regarding self breast exam and mammography.

Results: Preliminary results (33% returned): 93% of physicians were confident in their ability to advise patients to seek mammograms according to national guidelines. However, 30% reported that they do not discuss breast cancer prevention with the majority of their patients. In terms of specific topics, 41% did not routinely discuss behaviors which increase the risk of breast cancer and 22% did not routinely discuss the importance of self-breast exams. The top barriers cited were lack of time (28%), inadequate training during medical school and residency (10%), lack of clinical expertise (9%), and lack of available educational materials in the office (8%).

Conclusion: Although most physicians were confident in their ability to advise patients to seek mammograms according to national guidelines, significant proportions of physicians do not routinely discuss breast health issues with their patients.

Learning Objectives:
• Describe primary care physician’s perceptions of breast cancer screening and education. • Identify the practices of primary care physicians around breast health education and screening. • Describe the barriers that physicians cite to breast health education and screening.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Physicians

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I assisted with data collection, analyze, and abstract prepartion.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.