Breast cancer screening behaviors among Chinese women in Mainland China.

In the present study, we reported on the current breast cancer screening rates among Chinese women in China and examined whether demographic factors and cultural beliefs were associated with their screening behavior. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 494 Chinese women who completed the modified Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (BCSBQ). Two-sample t-tests and multivariable logistic regression were employed to analyze the data. The results indicated that participation in screening practices ranged from 27.5% for breast self-examination (BSE), 36.4% for clinical breast examination, 23.5% for mammography, and 40% for ultrasonography. Women who had previously engaged in one of the four screening practices had significantly higher scores on the three subscales of the modified BCSBQ. Being older and having a friend who had been diagnosed with breast cancer were shown to be predictors for BSE and participation in either mammography or ultrasonography, respectively. Education levels were also shown to be positively associated with the four screening measures. We suggest that cultural beliefs about breast cancer and screening practices play a significant role in Chinese women's screening behavior.

Psychometric properties of the Modified Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire among Mainland Chinese women.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to report the psychometric properties of the modified 'Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire' (BCSBQ) among women living in China. METHODS: A convenience sample of 494 women was recruited from community centres and out-patient clinics in Foshan city. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency reliability. Criterion validity was examined by testing three pre-specified hypotheses and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to study the factor structure. RESULTS: The results indicated that the modified BCSBQ has satisfactory validity and internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha of the three subscales ranged between 0.77 and 0.84. As hypothesized, the frequencies of breast self-examination and clinical breast examination were significantly associated with the subscales' score. Confirmatory factor analysis showed an adequate fit for the hypothesized three-factor structure with our data set. CONCLUSIONS: The modified BCBSQ is a culturally appropriate, valid and reliable instrument for assessing the beliefs, knowledge and attitudes to breast cancer and breast cancer screening practices among women living in China. It can be used for providing health care professionals with insights into the development of breast cancer screening promotion programs.