Early Detection of Breast Cancer and Barrier to Screening Programmes amongst Thai Migrant Women in Australia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer screening programme is seen as the best practice to detect breast cancer early. However,<br />there are circumstances that can prevent immigrant women from attending screening programmes. Little is known<br />about Thai migrants and the barriers to their seeking breast cancer screening when living in a new homeland. This paper<br />aimed to discuss the barriers to attending screening services among Thai migrant women living in Australia. Methods:<br />This study adopted qualitative approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviewing and drawing methods were employed<br />as data collection technique with 25 Thai migrant women who had not experienced breast cancer and were living in<br />Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Thematic analysis method was employed to analyse the data. Results: Basing on<br />the Health Belief Model, most Thai migrant women did not perceive that they were at risk of breast cancer. Despite<br />seeing a breast cancer screening programme as important, the women rarely paid attention to breast cancer screening<br />and used the mammography services provided by the Australian health care system. The barriers included the location<br />of the services, unfamiliar patterns of health care provision, and language difficulties. Conclusions: There are many<br />barriers that that they encountered in Australia that prevent Thai migrant women living in Melbourne Australia to pay<br />attention to mammographic screening service provided by Australia health system. Our findings suggest that health<br />services and interventions need to be designed more sensitive to the needs and socio-cultural context of migrant women<br />in general and Thai migrant women in particular.