The Role of Education in Breast Cancer Beliefs and Screening Practices Among Korean Women – A quantitative study

Introduction: Cultural beliefs are influential factors that affect breast cancer screening practices among Korean women. The aim of this study was to examine the role of educational levels and compare the cultural beliefs associated with breast cancer screening practices among immigrant Korean women in Australia with those of their counterparts in Korea. Methods: A secondary analysis based on data from convenience samples of 245 and 249 Korean women living in Australia and Korea, respectively. Data were collected by the Korean version of Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire. Results: Educational level has a significant association with Korean women’s cultural beliefs about breast cancer and breast cancer screening practices regardless of country of residence. Discussion: Nurses working in multicultural societies should take cultural beliefs and the role of education into account while designing strategies to promote breast cancer screening practices among immigrant Korean women.

Turkish Validity–Reliability of Breast Cancer Beliefs Scale and the Effect of Socio-Demographic Factors on Breast Cancer Beliefs

Background/aimThis study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the Breast Cancer Cultural Beliefs Scale for women with breast cancer in Turkish society.Materials and methodsThe population of this study was composed of patients diagnosed with breast cancer who were treated for cancer in the Adult Chemotherapy Unit. A total of 178 women with breast cancer participated in this study.ResultsIn order to determine the factor structure of the scale, principal component analysis was performed. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the reliability of the scale scores. The results explained 62.93% of the total variance of the scale. The result of the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test was determined to be 0.813, and that of Bartlett's test was 723.56. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was .74.ConclusionIt was determined that the Breast Cancer Cultural Beliefs Scale was a valid and reliable tool for assessing the cultural beliefs of women in Turkey.

Cancer Risk Behaviors, Cancer Beliefs and Health Information Seeking Among Under-Represented Populations in San Francisco: Differences by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Background Compared to the general population, sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are at increased risk of some types of cancer, in part due to engagement in high-risk behaviors and lack of adequate preventive care. Understanding how SGM perceive cancer risk and their practices and preferences for accessing health information is key for improving the preventive and healthcare services they receive. Methods In this cross-sectional study we analyzed data from the San Francisco Health Information National Trends Survey. SGM were identified by self-report. Differences in cancer risk factors and cancer beliefs as well as health information seeking behaviors and preferences were evaluated by sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) using multivariable logistic regression models. Results Out of 1027 participants, 130 (13%) reported being SGM. In multivariable models adjusting for age, sex at birth, education and race/ethnicity, current smoking was more common in SGM than non-SGM respondents (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.03, 2.54). No differences in health information seeking behaviors, preferences and cancer beliefs were observed by SGM status. However, SGM reported significantly higher odds of feeling frustrated during the most recent health information search (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.14, 2.56). Conclusions In this diverse urban population, SGM were more likely to be current smokers. No differences in preferences for accessing and exchanging health information were reported by SGM status. The drivers of increased feelings of frustration while seeking health information and its implications for SGM health and care merit further evaluation. Also, tobacco cessation interventions should be promoted in this community.

Cancer beliefs and screening across three NYC neighborhoods.

e22512 Background: Differences in breast cancer screening exist between the NYC neighborhoods of East Harlem (EH) and Central Harlem (CH), and the Upper East Side (UES). Here we assess the relationship between six cancer beliefs and breast cancer screening among women in these neighborhoods. Methods: We include women aged ≥40 who responded to the Community Cancer Needs Survey between 2018-2019 and were eligible to undergo screening mammography within 2 years (“recommended screening”). All estimates use weighted data generated using raking techniques. We compared categorical variables using Chi-square tests & estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from logistic regression model associating beliefs and reported mammography receipt (results and covariates listed in Table). For each belief, we compared women who reported “agree” (combined strongly or somewhat agree) to those who “disagree” (combined strongly or somewhat disagree). Results: Of the weighted sample of 76,610 (41.3% CH, 34.4% EH, and 24.3% UES) women eligible to undergo screening mammography, 75.1%, 81.2%, and 90.3% of women in CH, EH, and UES, respectively reported recommended screening. There was no difference by neighborhood in prolonged (>2 years ago) screening intervals: 10.6% in CH, 7.9% in EH, and 9.8% in the UES, while never use was reported by 11.3% in CH, 7.6% in EH, and none in the UES (p=<0.0001). The table summarizes agreement between cancer beliefs and timely receipt of mammography. Conclusions: In this study, cancer beliefs are inconsistently associated with use of breast cancer screening across three NYC neighborhoods. Assessment of beliefs reveal important opportunities for breast cancer (and other cancer) prevention by promoting awareness of risk factors and screening in these communities.[Table: see text]

Interactive online skin cancer training game “Whack-a-Mole” assesses training strategies and real-time feedback on melanoma identification among U.S. adults.

10564 Background: Cutaneous melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer. Several studies have shown that early melanoma detection is associated with decreased mortality through self-examination and dermatology full-body skin exams. ABCD rule and the ugly duckling sign (UDS) are used to identify melanomas, but little research has explored the comparative efficacy of these approaches. This investigation compares the effectiveness of different mole identification training strategies and explores the effect of real-time feedback on decision-making. Methods: We developed an online melanoma identification game that tests differences between training types and expert feedback on mole identification. This online RCT tests a 4 (training: ABCD, UDS, both, control) X 3 (feedback: standard, motivational, control) factorial design on melanoma identification, skin cancer beliefs (perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy), and skin cancer prevention intentions. Standard feedback included expert evaluations of moles, whereas motivational feedback added statements grounded in fear appeals theory to encourage skin self-examination. An online research panel service was used to recruit 1025 US adults. Participants were randomly assigned to condition, completed a pretest, participated in the game intervention, and completed a posttest. Gameplay incorporates the same mechanics as Tinder (swipe left on benign moles and swipe right on malignant moles). Results: In total, participants reviewed 48 moles, 12 of which were melanomas. We used two-way ANCOVA for the analysis. ABCD training resulted in significantly higher melanoma identification than the control ( p =.011). Every training type resulted in significantly higher self-efficacy than the control ( p =.007). Additionally, there was a significant main effect of feedback on self-efficacy ( p =.001), where both standard and motivational feedback elicited significantly higher levels of self-efficacy than the control condition. Around 88% of participants intend to conduct skin self-exams and wear sunscreen. Conclusions: Our data suggests that “Whack a Mole” is an efficacious tool for melanoma training. ABCD and UDS training with interactive feedback are important to improve accuracy and ability for melanoma identification.

The evolution of parents’ beliefs about childhood cancer during diagnostic communication: a qualitative study in Guatemala

IntroductionFatalistic cancer beliefs may contribute to delayed diagnosis and poor outcomes, including treatment abandonment, for children with cancer. This study explored Guatemalan parents’ cancer beliefs during initial paediatric cancer communication, and the sociocultural and contextual factors that influence these beliefs.MethodsTwenty families of children with cancer were included in this study. We audio-recorded psychosocial conversations with psychologists and diagnostic conversations with oncologists, then conducted semi-structured interviews with parents to explore the evolution of their cancer beliefs. Audio-recordings were transcribed and translated from Spanish into English, with additional review in both languages by bilingual team members. All 60 transcripts were thematically analysed using a priori and novel codes.ResultsGuatemalan parents’ beliefs evolve as they learn about cancer through various sources. Sources of information external to the cancer centre, including prior experiences with cancer, media exposure, community discussion and clinical encounters, contribute to pre-existing beliefs. Many parents’ pre-existing cancer beliefs are fatalistic; some are influenced by Mayan spirituality. Sources internal to the cancer centre include psychologists and oncologists, other providers, other patients and families. Psychologists acknowledge pre-existing beliefs and deliver cancer education using verbal explanations and hand-drawings. Oncologists provide diagnostic information and outline treatment plans. Both support hope by providing a path toward cure. Parents’ lived experience is a culmination of sources and simultaneously independent. Ultimately most parents arrive at an understanding of cancer that is consistent with an allopathic medical model and offers optimism about outcomes.ConclusionAn interdisciplinary communication process that includes cancer education, is attentive to pre-existing beliefs, and supports hope may encourage acceptance of the allopathic medical model and need for treatment. Providers in settings of all resource levels may be able to use these techniques to support cross-cultural cancer communication, reduce treatment abandonment and improve therapy adherence.

Media Exposure, Cancer Beliefs, and Cancer-Related Information-Seeking or Avoidance Behavior Patterns in China

This study explored the relationships between media exposure, cancer beliefs, and cancer information-seeking or information-avoidance behaviors. Based on the planned risk information-seeking model and its extended framework, two predictive models were constructed: one for cancer information seeking and the other for cancer information avoidance. A structural equation modeling strategy was applied to survey data from China HINTS 2017 (n = 3090) to compare the impact of traditional mass media and social media exposure to cancer-related information on cancer information-seeking and information-avoidance behaviors. The study findings suggest that health-related information exposure through different media channels may generate distinctive information-seeking or information-avoidance behaviors based on various cancer beliefs. Additionally, the findings indicate that social media exposure to health-related and cancer curability beliefs does not lead to cancer information avoidance; both mass media and social media exposure encourage people to seek cancer-related information. Cancer fatalism is positively associated with cancer information-seeking and avoiding intentions, suggesting that negative cancer beliefs predict seemingly contradictory yet psychologically coherent information intentions and behaviors.