# Perceived Benefits and Barriers of Breast Self‐Examination and Mammography for Breast Cancer Screening in the PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS) Population

## TL;DR

This study explores women's perceptions of breast cancer screening methods like self-examination and mammography in a specific Iranian population.

## Contribution

The study identifies demographic and behavioral factors influencing perceived benefits and barriers to breast cancer screening in the PGCS population.

## Key findings

- Participants with higher education and insurance had better perceived benefits and lower barriers to screening.
- Older women and those with a family history of breast cancer showed more positive perceptions of screening.
- Most participants had no prior mammography history, but those who did often followed doctor recommendations.

## Abstract

Breast examination and mammography help in the detection of breast cancer and are valid in improving survival by reducing mortality.

In this study, we aimed to investigate women's knowledge of breast cancer screening in the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies (PERSIAN) Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS) population.

This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 476 women aged 35–70 among the PGCS population. The demographic and clinical data of participants were collected through a questionnaire. Also, the Champion Health Belief Model Scale, including the perceived benefits of breast self‐examination (six phrases), perceived barriers to breast self‐examination (nine phrases), perceived benefits of mammography (six phrases), and perceived barriers to mammography (nine phrases), was used to collect the knowledge data. The variables of the questionnaire were assessed using the Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 by significant level < 0.05.

Most of the research subjects were within the age of 45–55 years (35.9%) and most of them (64.9%) did not mention any history of prior mammography, but among those with positive history of mammography, most of them (55.1%) had done it without any problem and only based on recommendation. The average scores of benefits and barriers for breast self‐examination among the participants were 9.9 ± 3.7 and 15.2 ± 4.6, respectively. Similarly, for mammography, the average scores were 9.9 ± 3.6 and 14.2 ± 4.7. In overall, factors including age 35–45 years, having insurance, higher education levels, having former visit of a doctor due to breast problem, family history of breast cancer in first degree relatives, and positive history of performing mammography were associated with better scores of perceived benefits and barriers in both breast self‐examination and mammography (p ≤ 0.05).

According to the barriers and benefits identified in this study, it is possible and also necessary to plan for breast cancer screening with organized regional educational plans. It is recommended to focus more on attracting older women to perform screening programs. It is also necessary to encourage doctors to refer women for mammography and support insurance organizations to provide screening services at a lower cost.