A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework

Background: In the UK, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, accounting for 31% of cancers and 15% of cancer-related deaths in women. In 2023, London’s breast screening coverage was 56%, falling below the NHS target of 70%. This survey assesses psychological and behavioural factors impacting screening...

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Main Authors: Sarah Huf, Ada Humphrey, Ara Darzi, Deborah Cunningham, Dominic King, Gaby Judah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/2/209
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author Sarah Huf
Ada Humphrey
Ara Darzi
Deborah Cunningham
Dominic King
Gaby Judah
author_facet Sarah Huf
Ada Humphrey
Ara Darzi
Deborah Cunningham
Dominic King
Gaby Judah
author_sort Sarah Huf
collection DOAJ
description Background: In the UK, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, accounting for 31% of cancers and 15% of cancer-related deaths in women. In 2023, London’s breast screening coverage was 56%, falling below the NHS target of 70%. This survey assesses psychological and behavioural factors impacting screening attendance. Methods: Using the Theoretical Domains Framework, an online survey including 15 behavioural factors was distributed through a market research company to women eligible for breast screening (aged 47–73) across London and Southeast and West England. Logistic regression was used to predict the impact of behavioural variables on history of attendance and intention to attend future screening opportunities. Results: Of the 922 respondents who returned the full survey, 88.6% intended to attend future screenings, and 88.1% reported previously attending screenings regularly. ‘Behavioural regulation’ had the strongest influence on past attendance (OR = 1.92, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and future intent (OR = 1.56, <i>p</i> = 0.003). Not intending to attend was linked to emotional consequences (OR = 0.68, <i>p</i> = 0.003) and environmental barriers (OR = 0.66, <i>p</i> < 0.001), where OR—Odds Ratio. Conclusions: This survey identifies behavioural factors influencing breast screening participation and screening intention, providing insights that may help design interventions to increase attendance rates.
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spelling doaj-art-ac0a88279c0b43e486e9f6f7dea66da72025-08-20T03:11:20ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-02-0115220910.3390/bs15020209A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains FrameworkSarah Huf0Ada Humphrey1Ara Darzi2Deborah Cunningham3Dominic King4Gaby Judah5Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UKDepartment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UKDepartment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UKDepartment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UKDepartment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UKDepartment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UKBackground: In the UK, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, accounting for 31% of cancers and 15% of cancer-related deaths in women. In 2023, London’s breast screening coverage was 56%, falling below the NHS target of 70%. This survey assesses psychological and behavioural factors impacting screening attendance. Methods: Using the Theoretical Domains Framework, an online survey including 15 behavioural factors was distributed through a market research company to women eligible for breast screening (aged 47–73) across London and Southeast and West England. Logistic regression was used to predict the impact of behavioural variables on history of attendance and intention to attend future screening opportunities. Results: Of the 922 respondents who returned the full survey, 88.6% intended to attend future screenings, and 88.1% reported previously attending screenings regularly. ‘Behavioural regulation’ had the strongest influence on past attendance (OR = 1.92, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and future intent (OR = 1.56, <i>p</i> = 0.003). Not intending to attend was linked to emotional consequences (OR = 0.68, <i>p</i> = 0.003) and environmental barriers (OR = 0.66, <i>p</i> < 0.001), where OR—Odds Ratio. Conclusions: This survey identifies behavioural factors influencing breast screening participation and screening intention, providing insights that may help design interventions to increase attendance rates.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/2/209behavioural sciencebreast cancerscreeningpublic health
spellingShingle Sarah Huf
Ada Humphrey
Ara Darzi
Deborah Cunningham
Dominic King
Gaby Judah
A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework
Behavioral Sciences
behavioural science
breast cancer
screening
public health
title A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework
title_full A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework
title_fullStr A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework
title_full_unstemmed A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework
title_short A Population Survey on Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework
title_sort population survey on barriers and facilitators to breast cancer screening based on the theoretical domains framework
topic behavioural science
breast cancer
screening
public health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/2/209
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