Practice theoretical approach on the reasons why target group women refrain from taking breast cancer screening

Kadi Lubi (Coresponding Author), Vita Savicka, Marilyn Koor, Irma Nool, Mare Tupits, Silja Mets-Oja

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Despite the availability of effective breast cancer screening programmes, there are only six countries in the European Union reaching the recommended target rate of 70% screened. In addition to the individual reasons for refraining from breast cancer screening, this research aims to follow earlier suggestions to use a practice theoretical approach. Methods: The study sites were Estonia and Latvia, where 9 and 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted, respectively. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used. The research was approved by ethics committees in both countries. The interviews passed textual analysis and coding. Results: The findings revealed that there are three major types of reasons – habitual, practical, and emotional – that influence the formation of the final decision to participate in breast cancer screening. Conclusion: The implementation of an individualistic approach is not sufficient to bring along desired health behaviour. All groups of reasons, individual and societal context are involved in the decision formation. Thus, structurally provided approaches and messages should be re-conceptualised and re-designed accordingly. Practice implications: Future screening related campaigns and public health education should address the concerns derived from different types of reasons for refraining from screening.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3053-3058
Number of pages6
JournalPatient Education and Counseling
Volume104
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021

Keywords*

  • Breast cancer screening
  • Non-participation
  • Social practice theory

Field of Science*

  • 3.3 Health sciences
  • 5.9 Other social sciences

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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