Breast Self-examination and Health Beliefs in Grenadian Women

Abstract

Beliefs about health and BSE affect BSE uptake and are culture dependent. These data help identify the at-risk population to guide the development of targeted community-based and culturally appropriate breast screening programs.

Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes About Breast Cancer Screening in Latin America and the Caribbean: An In-Depth Narrative Review

“…However, these women also perceived themselves as more susceptible to BCA, which caused increased perceived barriers to performance. 11 Like the common findings of shame and desire for privacy in articles about CBE and mammography, a sample of Chilean women also identified BSE as a way to maintain privacy for themselves. 29 Two articles 13 , 27 found that Brazilian women who had more than 4 years of education were more likely to know about and perform BSE; conversely, in Trinidad, there was no apparent relationship.…”

“…Findings among articles reviewed were not consistent about age and women’s attitude toward and tendency to perform BSE: One study found that younger women in Grenada tended to be more motivated to perform BSE 11 ; in Brazil and Mexico, though, older women were more likely to know about and practice BSE. 10 , 13 , 27 This is contrary to other findings from Brazil that older women tended not to know about or adhere to CBE.…”

“…According to the findings from this review, programs to improve available resources for BCA in LAC will not be sufficient to increase screening and improve outcomes if used alone. In addition to the need for physical availability of resources and health care personnel, there is a need for culturally competent community education about all aspects of BCA screening and prevention, a sentiment supported by many of the articles in this review 6 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 15 - 17 , 20 , 23 , 27 , 30 - 32 , 36 , 38 ; for example, there is a potential benefit of pairing screenings for breast and cervical cancer within the same clinic visit. 26 Several articles 10 , 16 , 25 , 29 , 33 noted the necessity for providers and health centers to offer information related to cancer prevention and to do so in culturally appropriate ways, using providers such as nurses to tailor education strategies to the community and individual.…”

Breast Cancer Research in the Caribbean: Analysis of Reports From 1975 to 2017

“…Seven Caribbean countries contributed to six publications on behavioral factors relevant to BC. 83-88 Screening was associated with younger age and church attendance in Grenada 84 and general practitioner visits and provider communication in Guadeloupe and Martinique and the US Virgin Islands. 85,88 In Grenada, perceived susceptibility to BC and perceived benefit of screening were more likely to be associated with women who frequently attended church.…”

“…85,88 In Grenada, perceived susceptibility to BC and perceived benefit of screening were more likely to be associated with women who frequently attended church. 84 The only intervention study was conducted in Jamaica, where a theory-based educational intervention positively influenced knowledge of BC risk factors, symptoms, and types of screening and increased screening rates in screening-naïve women. 86 The two behavioral studies involving BC cases were conducted in Cuba and Puerto Rico; in Cuba, family history of BC was perceived as a risk factor, but the concept of genetic risk had little meaning 83 ; in Puerto Rico, patients with BC had low physical activity, despite access to exercise equipment and facilities.…”