Parámetros mamográficos: compresión, dosis y disconfort / Mammography parameters: compression, dose, and discomfort

Objetivo: Confirmar la importancia de la compresión en mamografía, y relacionarla con el disconfort manifestado por las pacientes. Materiales y métodos: Se emplearon 2 muestras de 402 y 268 mamografías, obtenidas en dos centros de diagnóstico que poseen el mismo equipo mamográfico pero diferentes técnicas de compresión. Las edades variaron entre los 21 y los 50 años. Resultados: Se observó una sensible disminución en la dosis recibida a mayor compresión. Sin embargo, no se obtuvo una diferencia significativa en lo que respecta a los reclamos de las pacientes en relación con el disconfort experimentado. Discusión y Conclusión: La compresión en mamografía, siguiendo los estándares internacionales de una fuerza entre 80-120 N, es efectiva en cuanto a la reducción de dosis, sin por eso ser insoportable para la paciente. Este disconfort tampoco está relacionado con la glandularidad de la mama.

Objective: To confirm the importance of compression in mammography and relate it to the discomfort expressed by the patients. Materials and methods: Two samples of 402 and 268 mammographies were obtained from two diagnostic centres that use the same mammographic equipment, but different compression techniques. The patient age range was from 21 to 50 years old. Results: A significant decrease in the dose received was observed at higher compression. However, there was no significant difference as regards patients complaining about the discomfort experienced. Discussion and Conclusion: Compression in mammography, following the international standards of a pressure between 80-120 N, is effective in reducing the dose without being unbearable for the patient. This discomfort is also unrelated to the glandularity of the breast.

Knowledge and behavior regarding breast cancer screening among female teachers in Selangor, Malaysia.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the knowledge and practices of 425 female secondary school teachers from 20 selected secondary schools in Selangor, Malaysia on breast cancer screening (BCS). A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. This study showed moderate to low knowledge on breast cancer (BC) and BCS among teachers. Only 19%, 25% and 13.6% eligible women performed breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography respectively, on a regular basis. Level of breast cancer knowledge was significantly associated with BSE (p<0.001). Having heard/ read about BCS, and regular visit with a physician were associated with BCS behaviors (P<0.05). There was no association between BCS behaviors (P>0.05) and age, family history of breast cancer, marital status or having health insurance. Efforts are needed to increase knowledge and remove misconceptions about breast cancer and screening practices among Malaysian women.

The relationship between women's health beliefs and their participation in screening mammography.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Early diagnosis of this disease can reduce mortality significantly and will promote women's quality of life. Changes in the women's beliefs and attitudes are necessary to encourage them to undergo screening mammography. To make this change happen, understanding their health beliefs is important. This attempt is to determine the relationship between women's health belief of city of Kerman with their participation in mammography on the basis of health belief model in the year 2005-2006. This study was an experimental-control one in which the main independent variable was health belief including different dimensions such as perceived sensitivity, perceived intensity, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, "cues to actions" and self-efficacy. Participation in the mammography was taken as the dependent variable. Two samples consisting of 148 women who had and 148 women who had not underwent mammography were selected. Data were collected through questionnaires and were analyzed by SPSS=12 software. The result of this study showed that women's health belief in some dimensions of health belief model such as perceived benefits of mammography use, the presence of cues to action in mammography use is associated with having mammography. Moreover the total score of mammography group was more than the score of the group without the mammography. When the two groups were compared in terms of demographic data, experimental group showed significant statistical differences with regard to age, benign breast mass and family history of breast cancer. (P, 0001)Understanding the benefits and advantages of mammography and cues to action will increase women's adherence toward doing it. It is of great importance to better realize breast cancer screening behaviors and factors influencing it. It is also necessary to recognize the factors affecting health professionals' and particularly nurses' use of mammography.

Breast pain and service satisfaction during digital mammography.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and predisposing factors of breast pain felt during digital mammography, and factors associated with service satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A questionnaire was distributed to 1250 women immediately after their mammography. The outcomes assessed were a five-point scale of breast pain and rating of the satisfaction with the mammography service. Several factors potentially associated with breast pain and satisfaction were obtained from the questionnaire and analyzed. Multiple cumulative logit regression was used to identify independent, significant factors. RESULTS: Breast pain was found to be absent in 22% of patients, slight in 50%, moderate in 23% and substantial or severe in only 4%. Significant factors associated with breast pain during mammography included higher educational level, having no children, having had prior mammography, impolite and rough radiographer and poorly performed mammography. Factors associated with satisfaction with the mammography service included older age, polite and gentle radiographer and well-performed mammography. CONCLUSION: Radiographer delivery of the mammography service seemed to be the most important, modifiable reason for breast pain during mammography and dissatisfaction with the mammography service.

Korean Immigrant Women's Meanings of Breast, Breast Cancer, and Breast Cancer Screenings / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: Koreans are one of the fastest growing Asian populations in the U.S. since 1960s. In Korean immigrant women (KIW), breast cancer was reported as the most frequently diagnosed cancer. However, their screening rates for breast cancer are lower than national guidelines; it is assumed that underlying cultural schemas of breast, breast cancer, and its screening modalities exist and need to be studied. This study was aimed to investigate cultural meanings of breast, breast cancer, and breast cancer screenings in KIW. METHODS: Using cultural models theory from cognitive anthropology, naturalistic qualitative methodology was utilized. Three focus group interviews with fifteen KIW were conducted. Thematic analysis with constant comparison technique was performed eliciting units of meaning, categories, and themes. RESULTS: The cultural schema of the meaning of breast is "mother who is breast-feeding her baby," with two themes of "balance in size," and "shyness." Regarding breast cancer, three themes, i.e., "indifference," "fear," and "uncertainty" are emerged. "Lack of information about screening modalities" is the overarching schema with reference to breast cancer screenings. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrate unique cultural models of KIW related to breast cancer and its screenings, which are critical to understand and penetrate their barriers to breast cancer screening.