Effects of Health Beliefs about Mammography and Breast Cancer and Telephone Reminders on Re-screening in Turkey

YALÇINÖZ BAYSAL H., GÖZÜM S.

ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION, vol.12, no.6, pp.1445-1450, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Journal Name: ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1445-1450
  • Keywords: Breast cancer awareness, mammography re-screening, telephone reminders, Turkey, REPEAT MAMMOGRAPHY, INTERVAL ADHERENCE, TURKISH WOMEN, QUESTIONNAIRE, RELIABILITY, VALIDITY, PROGRAM, SAMPLE
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective. To assess the effect of telephone reminders on repeat screening mammogram completion among women who have already had one or more mammograms. Methods. Seven hundred and forty women whose turn came for further mammography and who could be reached by telephone out of 1,372 women registered at a Cancer Screening and Education Center (CSEC) were studied in Erzurum, Turkey, from January to June 2008. Results. Before reminders with the telephone, of the 740 women, while only 29 (3.9%) had mammograms, after telephone reminders, approximately half of the women (46.4%) received mammograms by coming to the CSEC. Level of awareness of risk of breast cancer, intention, marital status, perceived mammography barriers were factors impacting on behavior. Conclusion: It was found that reminding women registered at the mammography center of their appointments was effective in reinforcing behavior. Health professionals can, through reminder and guidance, reduce the level of perceived barriers related to having a mammography and secure continuity in mammography check-ups.