Compliance with Screening Recommendations According to Breast Cancer Risk Levels in Izmir, Turkey

Ayla Acikgoz,Gul Ergor

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.3.1737

Abstract

Early diagnosis has a major role in improving prognosis of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk status of women 35-69 years of age using risk assessment models and the prevalence of mammography in a community setting. The sample of this cross sectional study consisted of 227 women, 35-69 years of age residing in Izmir, a city located in western region of Turkey. A questionnaire was used to collect data and the Gail and Cuzick-Tyrer models were applied to assess the risk of breast cancer. In this study, 52.7% of women had mammography at least once, and 41.3% of the women over the age of 40 had mammography screening in the last two years. The five years risk for breast cancer was high in 15.8% of women according to the Gail model and ten years risk was high in 21.7% with the Cuzick-Tyrer model. In the present study, the breast cancer risk levels were assessed in a population setting for the first time in Turkey using breast cancer risk level assessment models. Being in 60-69 age group, having low education and not being in menopause were significant risk factors for not having mammography according to logistic regression analysis. Mammography utilization rate was low. Women must be educated about breast cancer screening methods and early diagnosis. The women in the high risk group should be informed on their risk status which may increase their attendance at breast cancer screening.

Highlights

Breast cancer is the most frequent and most fatal cancer type seen in women both in the world and in Turkey (Ferlay et al, 2010)
The women in the high risk group should be informed on their risk status which may increase their attendance at breast cancer screening
While 97% of 40-49 age group women, and 90% of 50-59 age group women were informed about mammography, in 60-69 age group, this proportion was 76%

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most frequent and most fatal cancer type seen in women both in the world and in Turkey (Ferlay et al, 2010). Breast cancer is a rare disease in women under 40; the frequency of the disease increases with age (Thompson et al, 2005). Breast cancer frequency varies between countries, and it is seen more frequent in developed countries than in developing countries. The fatality rate of breast cancer is 30% in developed countries, and 43% in underdeveloped countries. These important differences can be explained by the early diagnosis due to screening mammography and by better treatment possibilities in developed countries (Boyle et al, 2008). Breast cancer history in family, detection of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation in women, detection of atypical hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma insitu or ductal carcinoma in-situ in breast biopsy, having first menstruation in early ages (55), giving first birth after 30 or not giving any birth, use of combined oestrogen/progesterone Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT), use of current or recent oral contraceptives, adult weight gain, sedentary life style and using alcohol are listed as risk factors in breast cancer (Thompson et al, 2005)

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