Predictors of Breast Cancer Screening Uptake: A Pre Intervention Community Survey in Malaysia

Introduction: Despite health education efforts to educate women on breast cancer and breast cancer screeningmodalities, the incidence of breast cancer and presentation at an advanced stage are still a problem in Malaysia.
Objectives: To determine factors associated with the uptake of breast cancer screening among women in thegeneral population.
Methods: This pre-intervention survey was conducted in a suburban district. All householdswere approached and women aged 20 to 60 years old were interviewed with pre-tested guided questionnaires.Variables collected included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge on breast cancer and screeningpractice of breast cancer. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed.
Results: 41.5% of a total of381 respondents scored above average; the mean knowledge score on causes and risks factors of breast cancerwas 3.41 out of 5 (SD1.609). 58.5% had ever practiced BSE with half of them performing it at regular monthlyintervals. Uptake of CBE by nurses and by doctors was 40.7% and 37.3%, respectively. Mammogram uptakewas 14.6%. Significant predictors of BSE were good knowledge of breast cancer (OR=2.654, 95% CI: 1.033-6.816), being married (OR=2.213, 95% CI: 1.201-4.076) and attending CBE (OR=1.729, 95% CI: 1.122-2.665).Significant predictors for CBE included being married (OR=2.161, 95% CI: 1.174-3.979), good knowledge ofbreast cancer (OR=2.286, 95% CI: 1.012-5.161), and social support for breast cancer screening (OR=2.312, 95%CI: 1.245-4.293). Women who had CBE were more likely to undergo mammographic screening of the breast(OR=5.744, 95% CI: 2.112-15.623), p<0.005.
Conclusion: CBE attendance is a strong factor in promoting BSEand mammography, educating women on the importance of breast cancer screening and on how to conduct BSE.The currently opportunistic conduct of CBE should be extended to active calling of women for CBE.