Breast cancer screening practices among Hong Kong Chinese women.
BACKGROUND
Although the incidence rates of breast cancer have been increasing remarkably in Hong Kong over the last 2 decades, little is known on breast cancer screening practices among this group of women.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to report breast cancer screening practices among Hong Kong Chinese women and to examine the relationship between (1) demographic factors and (2) the modified Chinese Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (CBCSB) score and women's breast screening behaviors.


METHODS
A descriptive and cross-sectional method was used. Both English and Chinese versions of the modified CBCSB were administered. Of 946 Hong Kong Chinese women older than 18 years and invited to participate in the study, 753 (79.6%) completed and returned the questionnaire.


RESULTS
The majority of participants (70%-90%) had heard of breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammograms. Only 33.3% performed a BSE monthly; 37.8% and 32.7% of women within the targeted age group had a CBE annually and had a mammogram every 2 years, respectively. Being married and part-time employment were positively associated with women who performed BSE as recommended. In terms of modified CBCSB score, women who had BSE, CBE, and mammogram as recommended had significantly higher scores on the subscale attitudes to health check-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Attitudes toward health check-up was influential in compliance with breast cancer screening practices among Chinese-Australian women.


CONCLUSIONS
Effort should be focused on specific subgroups of Hong Kong Chinese women, to fully understand the barriers involved in participating in breast cancer screening practices.
Author Affiliations: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Australia (Dr Kwok); and School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong (Dr Fong).
Cannas
C
Kwok
Daniel Y T
DY
Fong
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000451:nursing* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000451:nursing* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health