Factors determining acceptability of mammography in an Asian population: A study among women in Singapore

• Main Authors: SEOW, Adeline, STRAUGHAN, Paulin Tay, NG, Eng-Hen, EMMANUEL, Shanta C., TAN, Chor-Hiang
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 1997
• Subjects: Breast cancer; mammography; screening acceptability; Singapore; women.; Asian Studies; Medicine and Health
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2170
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Population-based mammographic screening has been shown to be effective in reducing breast cancer mortality inthe West. In Singapore, a project carried out to determine the effectiveness of implementing such a program locallyinvited 28,000 women between the ages of 50 and 64 years for mammography. The current study, which was partof this larger project, was intended to determine factors contributing to the acceptance of mammographic screeningamong women in Singapore. A questionnaire was administered in-person to 300 attenders and 260 non-attenders.The respondents were compared with respect to basic demographic characteristics, previous preventive behavior,informal social support, and attitudes towards early detection. We found that screening attenders were more likelyto be Chinese than Malays (14 percent of the population) or Indians (seven percent), and to be working outsidethe home (adjusted odds ratio [OR]) = 4.5, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 2.6-7.9). A greater proportion ofattenders had a history of other screening tests such as the Pap smear (OR = 4.7, CI = 2.6-8.7 for recent smearcompared with never having had a smear). They were also more likely to indicate a sense of personal susceptibilityto cancer, but did not differ from non-attenders in terms of believing in cancer prevention, or of preferring to betold if they did have cancer. The strongest independent predictor of attendance, however, was encouragement byher spouse or family member. For women in this population to be persuaded effectively to participate inmammographic screening, it would be important to convince family members of the benefits of the test. At thesame time, education targeted specifically at women of the appropriate age group should address the issue of thepersonal relevance of screening for breast cancer.