Mammographic screening uptake and health beliefs: A process perspective

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the beliefs and attitudes towards breast cancer and mammography using the sociocognitive variables postulated by the Health Beliefs Model associated with different stages of mammography adoption.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of Spanish women (N= 127) invited to participate in the Breast Cancer Detection Programme of the Valencian Regional Government (Spain). Two types of variables were assessed: (i) Socio-cognitive: perceived severity of breast cancer, perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, general health motivation, benefits and barriers perceived to mammography, and the degree of information about breast cancer and screening techniques; and (ii) Stage of mammography adoption: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Action, Action-Maintenance and Relapse.
Results: All sociocognitive variables showed significant statistic differences. Some of them (information, benefits, and barriers) showed differences between stages of adoption, while others (severity, susceptibility, and motivation) discriminated between women in Action-maintenance stage participating in a breast cancer screening programme, and women in the same stage, adopting the mammography behaviour on their own. Conclusions. Our findings show that the sociocognitive variables of Health Beliefs Model are associated with the progressive movement towards more developed stages of mammography adoption. The results of this research may improve public campaings addressed to increase women participation in breast cancer mammography screening programmes.