Study sheds light on women's screening decisions

Monday June 15th, 2009

New research suggests that fear plays a major role in women's decisions on whether or not to attend cancer screening.

Dr Kelly Ackerson of Western Michigan University, USA, and colleagues used "decision theory" from economics and psychology to investigate why some women do not seek screening for breast and cervical cancer.

In the Journal of Advanced Nursing, the researchers write: "Mammography and cervical smear testing are effective modes of cancer screening, yet many women choose not to be screened. Nurses need to understand the reasons behind women's choices in order to improve adherence."

They looked at 19 research papers covering 5,991 women, published from 1994 to 2008, and recorded the reasons for undergoing cancer screening in each case.

Analysis showed: "All women have fears and uncertainty, but the sources of their fears differ, producing two main decision scenarios."

Dr Ackerson commented: "Our review showed that fear could motivate women to either seek screening or to avoid screening. Some women complied because they feared the disease and saw screening as routine care, but other women feared medical examinations, healthcare providers, tests and procedures and didn't seek screening if their health was good.

"Lack of information was a big barrier. It was clear from our review that very few women understood that cervical smear testing aims to identify abnormal cells before they become malignant and that breast screening can detect cancer in the early stages when treatment is most effective."

The researchers conclude that nurses must address women's misconceptions about breast and cervical cancer screening "by openly and uniformly discussing the importance and benefits".

Ackerson, K. and Preston, S. A decision theory perspective on why women do or do not decide to have cancer screening: systematic review. The Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 65, June 2009, pp. 1130-40.

Tags: Cancer | North America | Nursing & Midwifery | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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