title: A qualitative exploration of Malaysian cancer patients' perceptions of cancer screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the existence of different screening methods, the response to cancer screening is poor among Malaysians. The current study aims to examine cancer patients' perceptions of cancer screening and early diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative methodology was used to collect in-depth information from cancer patients. After obtaining institutional ethical approval, patients with different types and stages of cancer from the three major ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indian) were approached. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English for thematic content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thematic content analysis yielded four major themes: awareness of cancer screening, perceived benefits of cancer screening, perceived barriers to cancer screening, and cues to action. The majority of respondents had never heard of cancer screening before their diagnosis. Some participants reported hearing about mammogram and Pap smear tests but did not undergo screening due to a lack of belief in personal susceptibility. Those who had negative results from screening prior to diagnosis perceived such tests as untrustworthy. Lack of knowledge and financial constraints were reported as barriers to cancer screening. Finally, numerous suggestions were given to improve screening behaviour among healthy individuals, including the role of mass media in disseminating the message 'prevention is better than cure'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients' narratives revealed some significant issues that were in line with the Health Belief Model which could explain negative health behaviour. The description of the personal experiences of people with cancer could provide many cues to action for those who have never encountered this potentially deadly disease, if incorporated into health promotion activities.
authors: Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Penang, Malaysia.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Farooqui
authors: Mohamed Azmi
authors: MA
authors: Hassali
authors: Aishah
authors: A
authors: Knight
authors: Asrul Akmal
authors: AA
authors: Shafie
authors: Muhammad Aslam
authors: MA
authors: Farooqui
authors: Fahad
authors: F
authors: Saleem
authors: Noman-ul
authors: NU
authors: Haq
authors: Hisham
authors: H
authors: Aljadhey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003144:Communication Barriers; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008296:Malaysia; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011203:Poverty; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012938:Social Perception; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology