Barriers to Mammographic Screening of Breast Cancer in Women: a Cross-sectional Study in Southeastern Iran

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in women in Iran and many other countries around the world. This cancer is the most critical cause of malignancy-related mortality in women. Early detection of breast cancer through mammographic screening of breast cancer greatly increases the chance of a successful treatment. This study aimed to explore the obstacles to mammographic screening of breast cancer in women.

This cross-sectional study was carried out among 812 women over the age of 40 who had not undergone mammographic screening or had undergone it irregularly from three selected clinics in Zahedan in 2017. To this end, the researchers used a questionnaire which consisted of 17 questions to examine the barriers to mammographic screening of breast cancer.

The results of this study showed that the most common barriers to this test were the following: not having the symptoms of breast cancer (62.7%); mammography being performed by male staff (57.5%); the absence of this test as a priority and necessity of life (57.2%); examination being sufficient by a physician or healthcare providers for diagnosis of breast cancer (55.8%); and the embarrassment of getting naked during mammography (51.5%).

Concerning the findings of this study, it has to be suggested first that mammography in the healthcare system should be performed by female staff. Second, health volunteers and local mass media, including provincial radio and television networks, can also play a major role in transferring educational materials to this target group.