Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, Screening Drivers

Abstract

Background: King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center (KHCF & KHCC) lead Breast Cancer (BC) awareness in Jordan through the Jordan Breast Cancer Program. The program aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from BC, and shift the current state of diagnosis from late stages to earlier ones, where the disease is curable, survival rates are higher, and treatment costs are lower. In October, the international BC awareness month, many activities are organized to encourage Jordanian women to undergo screening. Aim: To find out predictors of screening visits at KHCC early detection clinic in October 2015 to evaluate echo of the campaign. In addition, we aim to find the screening rate among women at KHCC early detection clinic. Methods: This is a cross sectional study, using a self-administered questionnaire, carried out in October 2015 and follow-up was completed on August 2016. Results: 291 women responded to the questionnaire, they were categorized into two groups; screening and diagnostic. Screening rate was 57.8% (N=166). In women above 40 years old, 69.3% (N=113) were in the screening group and 30.7% (N= 50) in the diagnostic group. There was no statistically significant difference in the average ages between two groups (49.49 year, 47.82 year, P = 0.218). Positive family history of BC in a first-degree relative was found to be a strong predictor for mammogram screening in comparison with screening group (65.4% vs 16%, P = 0.05); other screening behaviors like commitment to self-breast exam, clinical breast exam and attending educational lecture about BC did not significantly affect screening rates. In addition, screened women were more likely to complete their investigations and follow-up procedures. In this sample, five women were diagnosed with BC; two in advanced stages among the diagnostic group 4%, (N=50) with mean age 54.5 year, and three in early stage among screened group 2.7%, (N=113) with a mean age of 50 year. Conclusion: First-degree family history of BC is a strong predictor of BC screening. Awareness activities might lead to higher screening rates among women in general. Further studies need to be conducted on larger scale to confirm the results of this study.