Compliance with Screening Recommendations According toBreast Cancer Risk Levels in Izmir, Turkey

Early diagnosis has a major role in improving prognosis of breast cancer. The purpose of this study wasto assess the risk status of women 35-69 years of age using risk assessment models and the prevalence ofmammography in a community setting. The sample of this cross sectional study consisted of 227 women, 35-69years of age residing in Izmir, a city located in western region of Turkey. A questionnaire was used to collectdata and the Gail and Cuzick-Tyrer models were applied to assess the risk of breast cancer. In this study, 52.7%of women had mammography at least once, and 41.3% of the women over the age of 40 had mammographyscreening in the last two years. The five years risk for breast cancer was high in 15.8% of women according tothe Gail model and ten years risk was high in 21.7% with the Cuzick-Tyrer model. In the present study, thebreast cancer risk levels were assessed in a population setting for the first time in Turkey using breast cancerrisk level assessment models. Being in 60-69 age group, having low education and not being in menopause weresignificant risk factors for not having mammography according to logistic regression analysis. Mammographyutilization rate was low. Women must be educated about breast cancer screening methods and early diagnosis.The women in the high risk group should be informed on their risk status which may increase their attendanceat breast cancer screening.