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

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Reproductive Health Research Center,Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

2 Midwifery Consultation Masters' Degree Student, Student Research Center affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

3 Medical Student, Faculty of Medicine, Student Research Center affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

4 Department of Economics and Management Sciences for Health, 5Nursing and Midwifery School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

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

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