Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening by Mammography in Women Referred to Health Centers of Urmia, Iran

Abstract

Background: In women, breast cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancers and it is the second leading cause of<br />mortality. Mammography is considered an effective procedure to detect early breast cancer recommended by World<br />Health Organization. This study was aimed to evaluate breast cancer screening determinants in women referred to<br />health centers of Urmia for mammography in 2017. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytic cross-sectional<br />study, 348 women referred to health centers of Urmia were selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected<br />using a standard questionnaire for mammography screening determinants, with a checklist including demographic<br />characteristics, family, social and economic factors and midwifery background. Analysis was with SPSS software<br />version 20for descriptive and inferential statistic tests, Pperforming mammography was 12%. Significant relationships were noted with income, menopause status, a history of<br />breast cancer in close relatives, beliefs, inaccessibility, knowledge, cues to action, emotions, self-care, and life priorities<br />(P<0.05). There were no significant links with age at marriage, first age of delivery, number of children, duration of<br />breastfeeding, status of residency, education, marital status, occupation, history of breastfeeding, and previous breast<br />problems (P>0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that the status of breast cancer screening in<br />participating women was not satisfactory. Therefore, promotion of screening methods by health policy makers in Iran<br />is necessary and given that reliance solely on education is not sufficient, it is essential to pay attention to barriers and<br />eliminate them.