Abstract
BackgroundReaching an acceptable participation rate in screening programs is challenging. With the objective of supporting the Belarus government to implement mammography screening as a single intervention, we analyse the main determinants of breast cancer screening participation.MethodsWe developed a discrete choice experiment using a mixed research approach, comprising a literature review, in-depth interviews with key informants (n = 23), “think aloud” pilots (n = 10) and quantitative measurement of stated preferences for a representative sample of Belarus women (n = 428, 89% response rate). The choice data were analysed using a latent class logit model with four classes selected based on statistical (consistent Akaike information criterion) and interpretational considerations.ResultsWomen in the sample were representative of all six geographic regions, mainly urban (81%), and high-education (31%) characteristics. Preferences of women in all four classes were primarily influenced by the perceived reliability of the test (sensitivity and screening method) and costs. Travel and waiting time were important components in the decision for 34% of women. Most women in Belarus preferred mammography screening to the existing clinical breast examination (90%). However, if the national screening program is restricted in capacity, this proportion of women will drop to 55%. Women in all four classes preferred combined screening (mammography with clinical breast examination) to single mammography. While this preference was stronger if lower test sensitivity was assumed, 28% of women consistently gave more importance to combined screening than to test sensitivity.ConclusionWomen in Belarus were favourable to mammography screening. Population should be informed that there are no benefits of combined screening compared to single mammography. The results of this study are directly relevant to policy makers and help them targeting the screening population.
Highlights
With the objective of supporting the Belarus government to implement mammography screening as a single intervention, we analyse the main determinants of breast cancer screening participation
Most women in Belarus preferred mammography screening to the existing clinical breast examination (90%)
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and breast cancer screening (BCS) programs via mammography are frequently established in an effort to decrease mortality
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and breast cancer screening (BCS) programs via mammography are frequently established in an effort to decrease mortality. Informed by the ongoing debates on the benefits/harms ratio of BCS [2], women invited to the new screening programs may be negatively affected by the risk of false-positive result of the test and overdiagnosis [3]. This fear of screening-related harms may avert their preferences from BCS in general or shift them towards programs with lower risk of harms from a population perspective (e.g. more qualified doctors, specialized or private hospitals, etc.).implementation of any BCS requires a deep insight into population preferences for screening strategies and their characteristics before nation-wide program implementation. With the objective of supporting the Belarus government to implement mammography screening as a single intervention, we analyse the main determinants of breast cancer screening participation
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