“I Come Because I Am Called”: Recruitment and Participation in Mammography Screening in Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract

In this article I report on research investigating factors associated with participation in mammography screening in Sweden. I conducted semistructured interviews with 32 women aged 40-49 years who attended mammography screening in rural Sweden. Study participants undertook screening in the context of a health system in which women aged 40 years and above are contacted by mail with an appointment time to attend for screening. Study participants placed great value on this system, and trust was expressed in health authorities. Availability of local screening facilities was also highly valued by study participants.

Experiences and perceptions about undergoing mammographic screening: a qualitative study involving women from a county in Sweden

“…Another similarity is the automated response to participate when invited, but differing to some extent in the expression of the underlying reason for accepting the invitation. Willis (2008) cites the reason as more a reflection of the state’s role in deciding what is best, whereas the current study finds that it is more an indicator of a norm, without identifying the originator. Another similar aspect is the time factor to enable an early detection of any abnormalities.…”

“…Another similar aspect is the time factor to enable an early detection of any abnormalities. Despite many similarities between the current study and that of Willis (2008), some differences emerge. The participants in Willis’ (2008) study have four facilities in their county compared with one common facility in the county involved in the current study.…”

“…Despite many similarities between the current study and that of Willis (2008), some differences emerge. The participants in Willis’ (2008) study have four facilities in their county compared with one common facility in the county involved in the current study. The former study only includes 40–49-year-old participants, whereas in the current study, the participants’ ages range from 42 to 74.…”

“…The results identify structural conditions, risk and time estimation, the screening procedure, the appreciation for the benefit, attitudes towards participation and having an influence when deciding to undergo mammographic screening. The other study conducted in Sweden (Willis, 2008), with participants as the sources of information, reports the same reasons, such as the importance of being invited and not having to call for an appointment. Another similarity is the automated response to participate when invited, but differing to some extent in the expression of the underlying reason for accepting the invitation.…”

“…They base their decisions to undergo the screening on objective and subjective reasons, which may be important to understand in order to maintain an acceptable participation rate. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, only one previous study in Sweden has conducted similar research (Willis, 2008). The findings of a survey conducted in a Swedish county with only one fixed mammographic facility indicated that age and distance may be associated with non-participation in mammographic screening (Zidar, Larm, Tillgren, & Akhavan, 2015).…”