Abstract
Despite the potential benefits of screening in discovering breast cancer, many women still do not follow recommended screening regimens. Fear of cancer detection and fatalistic beliefs were identified by previous studies as the main reasons given by women for noncompliance with breast cancer screening. The aim of this descriptive study is to explore relationship of fear and fatalism with breast cancer screening among a convenience sample of 136 women recruited during their visit to the Gynecology Clinic at the Maternity University Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. The study tool consists of four parts: (1) Bio-sociodemographic information; (2) Champion Breast Cancer Fear Scale (CBCFS); (3) Powe Fatalism Inventory (PFI); (4) abridged version of the Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). The findings revealed that only 3.7% and 14.7% of women practiced regular breast self-examination and had previously had mammography, respectively. Negative correlations were found between fatalism and health beliefs; and between fear and health belief. A positive correlation was found between fatalism and fear. The findings of this study add some experimental support for the relationships between fear, fatalism, and breast cancer screening behavior. Â
Highlights
Cancer is a serious community health problem that entails many social and ethical considerations alongside its physical, biomedical problems
The results indicated that practicing regular breast self-examination and previous mammography rates among women were estimated at 3.7%, and 14.7%, respectively
The results of the present study identify features and barriers of breast cancer screening among Egyptian women that are of note to healthcare providers serving this population
Summary
Cancer is a serious community health problem that entails many social and ethical considerations alongside its physical, biomedical problems. In 2018 breast cancer was the main cause of cancer mortality among Egyptian women, accounting for 21.3/100,000 (10.8%) of all deaths related to cancers, with an incidence rate 52.4/100,000 (17.9%) (International Agency for Research on Cancer [IARC] & WHO, 2019) It is commonly discovered at delayed stages. Some women may agonize over the expected pain that they think mammography investigation will entail, or be anxious about being diagnosed with breast cancer (Wu et al, 2019) Fatalism is another psychosocial obstacle for cancer prevention and screening behavior, defined as a general inclination to ratify events that occur because of attributing them to the agency of an external force or higher power, whereby nothing can be done to change the course of events and outcomes (Flórez et al, 2009). The results of the current exploratory study provides a general understanding and identifies areas of concern for more detailed investigation, and its insights can inform the design of future intervention programs for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer
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