ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Mammography screening programs have been implemented in European countries as prevention tools aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality through early detection in asymptomatic women. Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland) demonstrated high participation rates; however, breast cancer mortality could be limited by further optimizing screening. This review aimed to explore factors that affect women's participation in mammography screening in Nordic countries. METHOD: A systematic review of segregated mixed research synthesis using a deductive approach was conducted. The following databases and platforms were searched to identify relevant studies: CINAHL with Full Text (EBSCOHost), MEDLINE (EBSCOHost), PsycInfo (ProQuest), Scopus (Elsevier) and Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, A&HCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH, and ESCI). The Critical Appraisal Skills Program was used for quality assessment. The Health Promotion Model was applied to integrate findings from qualitative and qualitative research. All methodological steps followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: The final selection (16 articles) included studies from three Nordic countries: Denmark (four quantitative studies), Norway (one qualitative and four quantitative studies), and Sweden (three qualitative and seven quantitative studies). Sixty-three factors were identified as barriers, facilitators, or factors with no influence. CONCLUSION: A substantial number of obtained factors, spread across a wide spectrum, describe (non-)participation in mammography screening as a versatile phenomenon. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this review could benefit the mammography staff and providers regarding possible interventions aimed at improving screening participation rates.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Mammography , Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Scandinavian and Nordic Countries , Qualitative Research , NorwayABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for middle-aged women in Sweden. Approximately 600,000 women are surveyed annually within the national screening program. However, 20% of Swedish women do not participate in mammography screening. Participation in mammography screening is a complex phenomenon that has many dimensions. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons why women refrain from mammography screening from the perspective of non-attending women. METHOD: A qualitative approach was chosen, and 10 women were interviewed. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Two categories were identified: individual needs and absence of active promotion. "Non-personalized system" was the main theme that emerged from the analysis. CONCLUSION: The mammography screening does not adapt to the needs of each individual. This may be the reason why some women refrain from mammography screening.
