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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4056.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 9:06 AM

Abstract #105398

Exploring barriers to uptake of breast cancer screening in South East London: A study of women’s views

Ann R. Taket and Sarah Barter-Godfrey, BSc, MSc. Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Rd., London, SE1 0AA, United Kingdom, 44 2078158486, bartersh@lsbu.ac.uk

Research on both sides of the Atlantic demonstrates that achieving high uptake of breast cancer screening remains an important area of public heath concern. UK government targets for breast screening uptake are 70%, however, much lower figures are found in many parts of the country, including South East London. This paper reports the findings of a study carried out to explore the views of women aged 50 to 64 (the age group covered by the free National Health Service screening programme) in order to: · establish in what way women who do not attend for screening are different from women who do attend · ascertain the views of the non-attenders with a view to making recommendations to the service which may help address the low uptake locally.

305 women were recruited through a variety of different community sources across the study area. Using a structured questionnaire/interview, women gave their views on their health concerns generally, as well as on breast screening in particular. The analysis (being undertaken now, to be completed by May 2005) will explore the influence of candidacy (women's assessment of the personal risk to them of their disease) on women's screening behaviour and the differences, if any, between the major ethnic groups in the area, indigenous white, black African and black Caribbean.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

    Keywords: Screening, Breast Cancer

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    [ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

    Designing Effective Health Education

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA