TY - JOUR
T1 - Decision-making in breast cancer screening
T2 - A qualitative exploration of the match between women's beliefs and screening information in the Netherlands
AU - Fransen, Mirjam P
AU - Damman, Olga C
AU - Bas, Sharell
AU - Uiters, Ellen
AU - Timmermans, Daniëlle Rm
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024
PY - 2024/5/1
Y1 - 2024/5/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Decision-making about breast cancer screening requires balanced and understandable information that takes prior beliefs of screening invitees into account.METHODS: In qualitative interviews with 22 Dutch women who were invited for screening for the first time (49-52 years of age, varying health literacy levels), we gained insight in their beliefs on breast cancer and breast cancer screening, and explored how the current screening information matched these beliefs.RESULTS: Breast cancer was perceived as an unpredictable, severe, and uncontrollable disease. Women considered screening as self-evident and an important mean to gain some control over breast cancer. Information on benefits of screening was in line with women's prior beliefs and confirmed women's main reasons to participate. Information about false-positive outcomes, overtreatment, and false negative outcomes did not correspond to women's prior beliefs and this information was generally not considered relevant for decision-making. Preferences for additional information merely concerned practical information on the screening procedure.CONCLUSION: Complex information on the harms of screening does not match women's beliefs and is not taken into account in their decision-making.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Information regarding breast cancer screening could be further aligned to prior beliefs by taking into account values, filling knowledge gaps and correct misconceptions.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Decision-making about breast cancer screening requires balanced and understandable information that takes prior beliefs of screening invitees into account.METHODS: In qualitative interviews with 22 Dutch women who were invited for screening for the first time (49-52 years of age, varying health literacy levels), we gained insight in their beliefs on breast cancer and breast cancer screening, and explored how the current screening information matched these beliefs.RESULTS: Breast cancer was perceived as an unpredictable, severe, and uncontrollable disease. Women considered screening as self-evident and an important mean to gain some control over breast cancer. Information on benefits of screening was in line with women's prior beliefs and confirmed women's main reasons to participate. Information about false-positive outcomes, overtreatment, and false negative outcomes did not correspond to women's prior beliefs and this information was generally not considered relevant for decision-making. Preferences for additional information merely concerned practical information on the screening procedure.CONCLUSION: Complex information on the harms of screening does not match women's beliefs and is not taken into account in their decision-making.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Information regarding breast cancer screening could be further aligned to prior beliefs by taking into account values, filling knowledge gaps and correct misconceptions.
KW - Beliefs
KW - Benefits
KW - Breast cancer screening
KW - Harms
KW - Informed decision-making
KW - Screening information
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85184009118&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108155
DO - 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108155
M3 - Article
C2 - 38325207
SN - 0738-3991
VL - 122
SP - 108155
JO - Patient Education and Counseling
JF - Patient Education and Counseling
M1 - 108155
ER -