Unwanted effects of risk notification for breast cancer regarding intention toward mammography utilization.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to explore the possible influence of risk notification regarding breast cancer on the intention of women to undergo mammography.


METHODS
This study employed an uncontrolled before-after design. A baseline survey was conducted in a random sample of 1000 women to examine the sociodemographic variables, breast cancer risk factors, and screening-related variables. All subjects received the findings of a personalized health-risk appraisal (HRA) following the baseline interview. After 2 months of the baseline survey, a survey was conducted in 855 women to assess whether the intention of undergoing mammography had changed. Thus, the modification in the intention by communicating the individual risk status was assessed.


RESULTS
There was an overall increase from baseline to post-intervention in the number of subjects with the intention of undergoing mammography. Women in the contemplation and action stages who had intention toward mammography utilization at baseline showed decreased intention regarding mammography. After intervention in the form of HRA to promote mammography utilization, it was determined that young age, being married, being in neither the precontemplation nor the relapse stage, and having one or more risk factors of breast cancer were the predictors of intention to undergo mammography.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that communicating the risk status by HRA service can have a negative effect in the promotion of health-conscious behavior. The selection of the appropriate type of intervention using HRA to promote mammography utilization in the target group will be enhanced by taking into account the risk status of each client.
Park
Keeho
K
Cancer Information and Education Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea.
Choi
Kui Son
KS
Kye
Su Yeon
SY
Park
Su Ho
SH
Yoon
Nan He
NH
Park
Eun Cheol
EC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007723:Korea; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged