Breast Cancer Screening Interventions for Arabic Women: A Literature Review

Abstract

Similar to other Middle Eastern countries, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Qatar with increasing incidence and mortality rates. High mortality rates of breast cancer in the Middle Eastern countries are primarily due to delayed diagnosis of the disease. Thus screening and early detection of breast cancer are important in reducing cancer morbidity and mortality. With the aim of updating knowledge on existing interventions and developing effective intervention programs to promote breast cancer screening in Arabic populations in Qatar, this review addresses the question: What interventions are effective in increasing breast cancer knowledge and breast cancer screening rates in Arabic populations in Arabic countries and North America? Systematic literature review was performed to answer the proposed question. As the result of the search, six research studies were identified and appraised. From the findings, we infer several insights: (a) a language-appropriate and culturally sensitive educational program is the most important component of a successful intervention regardless of the study setting, (b) multi-level interventions that target both women, men, health care professionals, and/or larger health care system are more likely to be successful than single educational interventions or public awareness campaigns, and (c) more vigorous, personal and cognitive interventions that address psychosocial factors are likely to be more effective than less personal and informative interventions. This review has important implications for health care providers, intervention planners, and researchers.

Breast cancer screening in developing countries

“…Furthermore, difficulties in promoting education related to BSE have been cited 15, with approximately 3% 22 to 24% of women administering a BSE 21, 23 and 12.5% undergoing a CBE 15.…”

Promoting screening to reduce breast cancer mortality among Arab women: What do healthcare professionals need to do?

“…Thus, another comprehensive literature review exploring what has been reported as effective interventions in increasing breast cancer screening uptake in Arab populations was conducted ( Figure 2). 15 Table 1 presents intervention overview of included studies.…”

“…18,19,20,21 However, Arab women currently face a significant risk of high mortality rate from breast cancer due to frequent diagnosis in the advanced stages of the disease. 22,23,24,25 Drawing on the findings of our recent study in Qatar 11,13,14 and a comprehensive literature review of studies, 10,15 we recommend several categories of intervention strategies to promote early detection of breast cancer among Arab populations. To effectively decrease breast cancer mortality rates for Arab women, it is imperative that health care professionals employ multilevel interventions and maximize the synergic effect between each level of intervention.…”

I Do Not Even Say "It" - a Mixed Methods Study on Breast Cancer Awareness of Omani Women

“…Several studies have found that culturally-sensitive breast cancer education programmes can have a significant impact on changing knowledge and beliefs about breast cancer (Hall et al, 2005;Bickell et al, 2009). Researchers have recently been focusing on the possibility that culturally-tailored behavioural change programmes may affect cancer screening practices to better eliminate known barriers and provide appropriate interventions (Simon, 2006;Donnelly and Hwang, 2015). Little is known about the perceptions, attitudes, barriers and facilitators related to breast cancer prevention perceived by Omani women.…”

“…Factors such as health beliefs and attitudes towards breast cancer, general breast cancer knowledge and screening knowledge, socioeconomic status and level of education have also been linked with screening use (Raza et al, 2012;Donnelly and Hwang, 2015).…”