Factors influencing the stages of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis in Thai women.
BACKGROUND
Early diagnosis of breast cancer leads to early treatment therefore improving women's health. However, most Thai women are diagnosed at a late stage.


OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional correlational study was designed to explore factors influencing the diagnosis of early stage breast cancer in Thai women.


METHODS
Thai women (n = 400) newly diagnosed breast cancer at all clinical stages from public hospitals in Bangkok Metropolitan completed a questionnaire about knowledge of breast cancer and screening. The questionnaire addressed pre-diagnosis data about: (1) health care provider's recommendations to undertake breast screening, (2) health coverage for mammography (MM) costs and (3) regularity of breast screening behaviors in terms of breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and MM including stage breast cancer at diagnosis. Data analysis was determined by PASW Statistics version 18 as univariate and multivariate logistic regression.


RESULTS
Health coverage for MM costs and all three behaviors were significantly related to and could predict the early stages breast cancer at diagnosis (p < 0.05): health coverage for MM costs (OR = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.63), BSE (OR = 8.08, CI 95%, 3.93-16.63), CBE (OR = 12.54, CI 95%, 2.29-68.65) and MM (OR = 5.89, CL 95%, 1.13-30.73).


CONCLUSIONS
All three behaviors are essential and related to one another. CBE on a regular basis is the best predictor for early stages breast cancer at diagnosis in Thai context. Nurses should provide information and teach including re-check the woman's skills to perform BSE regularly.
Sirinoot
S
Buranaruangrote
Siriorn
S
Sindhu
Deborah K
DK
Mayer
Ameporn
A
Ratinthorn
Thiravud
T
Khuhaprema
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult