Predictors of Adherence to Clinical Breast Examination andMammography Screening among Malaysian Women

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Malaysian women and early detection can play an importantrole in reducing cancer morbidity and mortality. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine therates and factors related to clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography among 425 female teachersin Selangor, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire that included questions on socio-demography,cancer-related knowledge practice and an adapted version of Champion’s revised Health Belief Model Scalewas employed. The mean age of participants was 37.2±7.16 years. Only 25% of the women ever had a CBE.Of women over the age 40 (n=138), 13.6% reported having had a mammography. The results showed highersusceptibility to breast cancer, higher benefits of doing CBE and regular visits with a physician to be significantpredictors for undergoing CBE (p<0.05). In addition, higher a perceived susceptibility to breast cancer andregular undergoing CBE were significant predictors for having a mammography. The findings clearly suggest aneed for improving women’s awareness on breast cancer screening, its importance and recommended guidelines.