234504 Identifying breast cancer screening barriers among Barbadian women

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 10:48 AM

Misha Granado, MPH, MS , Emergency Medicine, University of Texas-Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Angela Rose, BA, MSc , The Chronic Disease Research Centre, University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados
Ian Hambleton, BA, MSc, PhD , The Chonic Disease Research Centre, University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados
Cornelia Guell, MA, MSc, MSc, PhD , Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados
Anselm Hennis, MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRCP, FACP , The Chronic Disease Research Centre, The University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados
Background. There are no published data on barriers to breast cancer screening in Barbadian women, who experience a lower incidence yet similar mortality rate to African American women. Attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about breast cancer, including screening procedures, have been identified as barriers to screening among African American and Caribbean women in the USA. Objective. This qualitative study examined the beliefs about mammography among Barbadian women, in order to identify barriers to breast cancer screening for this population. Method. One hundred and ten participants were recruited from a primary healthcare facility and breast cancer-screening program run by a local charity. Interviews were conducted through 12 focus groups stratified by previous mammogram status (yes vs. No) and age-group (40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ years). Qualitative analyses were carried out using QSR NVivo 8. Results. For all age groups, lack of/erroneous health information, fear and cost were identified as the principal barriers to breast cancer screening. However, specific beliefs/fears varied by age group (e.g. younger women feared losing a romantic relationship after diagnosis, while older women believed that the mammography machine causes breast cancer). The taboo societal perception of breast cancer was also identified as a major barrier to screening. Conclusions. Three main categories of breast cancer screening barriers among Barbadian women were identified, although within categories, differences were observed between age-groups. If screening is to be increased in this population, health messages should be tailored for each category and age group, providing accurate information to dispel myths and provide support.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the breast cancer screening barriers that were only applicable to the 40-49 year old women. 2. Explain why distrust of the medical profession is not a barrier for Barbadian women. 3. Differentiate between the breast cancer screening barriers identified by women of other countries and Barbadian women. 4. List the recommended interventions Barbadian women suggested in attempts to increase screening.

Keywords: Women's Health, Breast Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I was the Prinicipal Investigator (PI) on the study, academic graduate training in public health/behavioral health, and professionally I am a public health researcher.
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.

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