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Promoting early presentation of breast cancer: a preliminary evaluation of a written intervention

Forster, Alice S., Forbes, Lindsay J.L., Abraham, Charles, Warburton, Fiona G., Douglas, Elaine, Ramirez, Amanda-Jane (2014) Promoting early presentation of breast cancer: a preliminary evaluation of a written intervention. Chronic Illness, 10 (1). pp. 18-30. ISSN 1742-3953. E-ISSN 1745-9206. (doi:10.1177/1742395313484071) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:53855)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1742395313484071

Abstract

Objectives Older women are more likely to delay presentation with breast cancer, which contributes to poorer survival. We evaluated a written intervention that was designed to provide women with the knowledge, motivation, confidence and skills to present promptly with breast cancer symptoms.

Methods We assessed acceptability and understanding of the intervention by interviewing 43 women. We used their responses to refine the intervention. We tested the effect of the intervention on breast cancer awareness, confidence and intentions to check breasts and perceived barriers to help-seeking using a self-report questionnaire administered to 61 women prior to and one month after receiving the intervention. Quantitative data were analysed using the McNemar test.

Results Women were not made anxious by the intervention and understood its messages. At one month, a greater proportion of women knew that breast cancer risk increases with age, identified ?5 non-lump symptoms and reported breast checking at least monthly in comparison to before the intervention was implemented.

Discussion The intervention does not induce anxiety, is understandable, and appears to increase breast cancer awareness. The results provide justification for a more rigorous trial to test efficacy.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1742395313484071
Uncontrolled keywords: Aged, breast cancer, complex intervention, delayed presentation, health behaviour
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Lindsay Forbes
Date Deposited: 25 Jan 2016 15:50 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 11:00 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/53855 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Forbes, Lindsay J.L..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4654-9520
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