Mammography perceptions and practices among women aged 30-49: The role of screening programme availability and cultural affiliation.

Abstract

To explore the role of systematic screening programme availability and cultural affiliation as drivers of mammography perceptions/practices among women aged 30-49, who are not eligible for screening. Cross-sectional survey about mammography perceptions/practices among N = 918 Swiss women (30-49), across three cultural-linguistic regions (Swiss-German, Swiss-French, Swiss-Italian) and 26 cantons. In cantons offering systematic screening programmes, women appeared more likely to ask for a mammogram, felt more susceptible to breast cancer, and perceived more benefits to screening. Swiss-German women engaged less in screening and felt less susceptible to breast cancer than women in other cultural-linguistic regions. Within the Swiss-German region, women living in cantons with programmes were more likely to ask for a mammogram than in cantons without. Programme availability and cultural affiliation both appear related to young women's screening perceptions/practices. While the interaction between these factors should be further explored, this study provides some preliminary evidence that cultural affiliation is the more important driver. Health communication efforts should consider the impact of these drivers on women's intentions to have a mammogram, prior to the recommended age. Tailored communication - public and interpersonal - should be directed towards facilitating informed decision-making and avoidance of mammography overuse.