Acceptability and Determinants of Opportunistic Screening for Breast Cancer in Indian Women

Screening for breast cancer has been effective in decreasing mortality. Mammography is not readily available in resource-limited countries like India. Annual clinical breast examination has been demonstrated to be as effective as biennial mammography in reducing mortality with much less cost. In absence of an organized systematic screening program opportunity of women visiting the hospital can be used to educate and screen. The current study was designed to assess the acceptability, determinants of acceptability and effectiveness of opportunistic breast cancer screening.

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center in central India. Women of age >35 years with no breast complaints were offered to undergo screening for breast cancer by clinical breast examination. Women with non-breast related complaints or accompanying some other patients were included. Abnormal findings on clinical breast examination were followed by ultrasound (<40 years of age) or mammography (>40 years of age). Standard methods of examination were used. The sample size was 382 and the duration of the study was 2 years.

In the study out of 382 participants 255 (66.74%) accepted the examination and 127 denied. Only 66% of participants consented for screening and a lump was detected in seven (2.7%) women. All seven women with breast lump refused further diagnostic work-up. Acceptance of screening was not significantly affected by religion, educational status, marital status and occupation.

There was low acceptability to screening, awareness about breast cancer and treatment compliance rates to further management. Acceptability of screening is not affected by socioeconomic or educational status.