Investigating young women’s motivations to engage in early mammography screening in Switzerland: results of a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThe scientific and public debate concerning organized mammography screening is unprecedentedly strong. With research evidence concerning its efficacy being ambiguous, the recommendations pertaining to the age-thresholds for program inclusion vary between – and even within – countries. Data shows that young women who are not yet eligible for systematic screening, have opportunistic mammograms relatively often and, moreover, want to be included in organized programs. Yet, to date, little is known about the precise motivations underlying young women’s desire and intentions to go for, not medically indicated, mammographic screening.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was carried out among women aged 30-49 years (n = 918) from Switzerland.ResultsThe findings show that high fear (β = .08, p ≤ .05), perceived susceptibility (β = .10, p ≤ .05), and ego-involvement (β = .34, p ≤ .001) are the main predictors of screening intentions among women who are not yet eligible for the systematic program. Also, geographical location (Swiss-French group: β = .15, p ≤ .001; Swiss-Italian group: β = .26, p ≤ .001) and age (β = .11, p ≤ .001) play a role. In turn, breast cancer knowledge, risk perceptions, and educational status do not have a significant impact.ConclusionsYoung women seem to differ inherently from those who are already eligible for systematic screening in terms of the factors underlying their intentions to engage in mammographic screening. Thus, when striving to promote adherence to systematic screening guidelines – whether based on unequivocal scientific evidence or policy decisions – and to allow women to make evidence-based, informed decisions about mammography, differential strategies are needed to reach different age-groups.

Age-dependent impact of breast cancer risk perception on mammography screening behavior in Brazilian women

“…Compared to women with high educational level, those with low educational level underwent This was surprising, as most previous studies did not reveal any positive or negative association of numeric and comparative risk perception with participation in MS [10,12,16,20]. Labrie and colleagues [24] suggested that fear of breast cancer increased the perception of personal risk among women aged 30 -49 years. A recent study performed in Malta suggested that non-adherence to organized MS programs was associated with fear [25].…”

A national cross-sectional study of adherence to timely mammography use in Malta

“…The reasons why women chose to opt for private mammography rather than to the organized programme are not yet fully understood. This may be due to women seeking BS at a younger age (30–49) as a precautionary measure [ 20 ] and continue to sustain early detection practices in this way. Evidence from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey revealed that 29% of women aged 30–39 have undergone mammography [ 73 ] while data from the 2010 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance Study showed that 83% of women aged 40–49 have had BS [ 74 ].…”

“…Evidence from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey revealed that 29% of women aged 30–39 have undergone mammography [ 73 ] while data from the 2010 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance Study showed that 83% of women aged 40–49 have had BS [ 74 ]. Hence, public health strategies and wide media coverage directed at convincing older women to engage in BS may arouse a positive attitude among younger age groups towards early detection practices [ 75 , 76 ] or may induce anxiety and fear of BC and mortality, motivating younger women, particular those aged 40–49, to engage in mammography screening [ 20 ].…”

“…Currently, organized breast screening (BS) programmes are offered for free to asymptomatic women by many countries in Western Europe and North America [ 20 ], with time intervals between mammograms depending on the varying recommendations of various countries [ 21 ]. In Europe, the EU Council recommends a two-year interval to women aged 50–69 years [ 9 , 22 ].…”

“…In Europe, the EU Council recommends a two-year interval to women aged 50–69 years [ 9 , 22 ]. However, countries implement these recommendations as they consider fit [ 20 ]. For instance, Norway adheres to the recommended EU thresholds, while a biennial nationwide screening programme for women aged 50–75 is offered in the Netherlands [ 23 ] and regionally organized screening programmes are offered in Switzerland for women over 50, with the age limit varying between 69 and 74 years [ 24 ].…”