Effects of interventions on the screening behavior in female first‐degree relatives of breast cancer patients: A systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundWomen are more likely to develop breast cancer if their first‐degree relatives (FDRs) have the disease, but they are often unaware of their individual risk and conduct screening behaviors.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in increasing breast self‐examination, clinical breast examination, and mammography rates in FDRs of breast cancer patients.MethodsWe selected randomized clinical trials and quasi‐experimental studies in eight databases. Interventions in each study were categorized as “promising”, or “non‐promising” according to whether they led to a positive change in screening behaviors. Interventions were also coded using the Behavioral Change Techniques (BCTs) Taxonomy and a promise ratio calculated for each. BCTs with a promise ratio ≥2 was classified as “promising”.ResultsThirteen studies with 21 different BCTs were included. The most frequent BCTs were “Prompts/cues”, “Credible source”, and “Instructions on how to perform the behavior”. Seven BCTs had a promise ratio of ≥2 and the four most promising were “Information about health consequences” (promise ratio = 6), “Problem solving” (promise ratio = 4), “Demonstration of the behavior” (promise ratio = 4), and “Adding objects to the environment” (promise ratio = 4).ConclusionsThis review indicated an overall weak use of theory, and an insufficient description of several interventions to support the assessment of how specific BCTs were activated.