| dc.description.abstract |
<p>Objectives: To understand the key factors guiding women's decision of whether or
not to use breast and cervical cancer screening services (in order to determine how
to cost effectively increase screening uptake in following conjoint).</p><p>Methods:
We conducted eight focus groups, with Singaporean women aged between 40 and 64 for
breast cancer screening, and between 25 and 64 years for cervical cancer screening,
to identify the key factors that drive cancer screening. Using the Health Belief
Model to guide our focus group questions, we analyzed the responses and compared similarities
and differences among screeners and non-screeners. </p><p>Results: Singaporean women
understand the severity of both breast and cervical cancer and fear the associated
lifestyle challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. With the exception of several
non-screeners in the breast cancer group, all women reported they believed they were
at risk of developing cancer. All women reported the benefits of early detection
and accuracy of preventative screening. Both screeners and non-screeners feared cancer
detection during screening and saw the screening clinic as a place of possible cancer
diagnosis. </p><p>Conclusion: How women perceive their cancer diagnosis, accepting
the cancer reality or succumbing to fatalist beliefs, greatly impacts their decision
to screen. Screeners were more likely to report that they had recommendations from
friends, referrals from doctors, and influences from promotion campaigns. Non-screeners
were more likely to have perceive fatalistic views (lack of control over a diagnosis
(fatalism) was a unique barrier reported by non-screeners.</p>
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