Conceptualization of Breast Cancer and Attitudes toward Breast Cancer Screening: A Qualitative Study on Iranian and Australian Women

Abstract

Objective Regular screening can lead to early diagnosis of breast cancer. Australia is one of the countries with a high rate of participation in breast cancer screening, while in Iran, most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages. This qualitative study used a thematic analysis method to examine the attitudes and beliefs of Iranian and Australian women toward breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Method In-depth interviews were conducted with eight Iranian and seven Australian women. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis with an inferential approach. Results According to the results, four main themes were extracted for the perceptions of breast cancer, including “the meaning of breast cancer”, “causes of breast cancer”, “prevention of breast cancer” and “effects of significant people in life”. Considering the perceptions of breast cancer screening, three themes were identified, including “beliefs about breast cancer screening,” “sources of information about breast cancer screening,” and “barriers to breast cancer screening.” Conclusion Cultural and social factors influence women’s perceptions of breast cancer and screening. Therefore, investigating the cultural meaning of breast cancer and breast cancer screening for women can be useful for screening and prevention purposes.