A qualitative exploration of women's perspectives and acceptability of including new cancer awareness information in all‐clear breast or cervical screening results

Bamidele, Olufikayo O.; Green, Trish; Tookey, Sara; Walabyeki, Julie; Macleod, Una

Abstract

Objective: This study explored women's perspectives on the acceptability of including new cancer information with an all-clear breast or cervical screening result letter (using ovarian cancer as a case study). Methods: In 2016, six focus group discussions were conducted with women aged 25–70 years old, eligible for invitation to the NHS breast or cervical screening programme and resident in England. The focus groups lasted 60–90 min and were held in community venues. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Thirty-eight women aged 25–67 years old participated in the focus groups. Data analysis yielded six descriptive themes: general cancer awareness, taking advantage of a ‘teachable moment’, a double-edge sword, barriers to accepting and using new cancer information, motivators for accepting and using new cancer information and wider strategies to increase cancer awareness in women. Women welcomed the inclusion of new cancer information in all-clear screening results but highlighted pertinent lessons to be considered to maximise the usefulness of the approach. Conclusion: While women perceived this approach as acceptable, it is pertinent to note the potential of the new cancer information to stimulate anxiety and potentially widen inequalities by excluding non-attenders at screening programmes. Specific complementary and tailored approaches are necessary to mitigate these limitations.

Citation

Bamidele, O. O., Green, T., Tookey, S., Walabyeki, J., & Macleod, U. (2022). A qualitative exploration of women's perspectives and acceptability of including new cancer awareness information in all‐clear breast or cervical screening results. European Journal of Cancer Care, https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13574

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 2, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Mar 15, 2022
• Publication Date: Mar 15, 2022
• Deposit Date: Mar 17, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 21, 2022
• Journal: European Journal of Cancer Care
• Print ISSN: 0961-5423
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2354
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13574
• Keywords: Cancer screening; Qualitative study; Theoretical framework of acceptability; Teachable moment; Women
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3950411