title: The prevalence and factors for cancer screening behavior among people with severe mental illness in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Screening is useful in reducing cancer incidence and mortality. People with severe mental illness (PSMI) are vulnerable to cancer as they are exposed to higher levels of cancer risks. Little is known about PSMI's cancer screening behavior and associated factors. The present study examined the utilization of breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer screening among PSMI in Hong Kong and to identify factors associated with their screening behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  591 PSMI from community mental health services completed a cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of cancer screening behavior among those who met the criteria for particular screening recommendation was as follows: 20.8% for mammography; 36.5% for clinical breast examination (CBE); 40.5% for pap-smear test; 12.8% for prostate examination; and 21.6% for colorectal cancer screening. Results from logistic regression analyses showed that marital status was a significant factor for mammography, CBE, and pap-smear test; belief that cancer can be healed if found early was a significant factor for pap-smear test and colorectal screening; belief that one can have cancer without having symptoms was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test; belief that one will have a higher risk if a family member has had cancer was a significant factor for CBE; and self-efficacy was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cancer screening utilization among PSMI in Hong Kong is low. Beliefs about cancer and self-efficacy are associated with cancer screening behavior. Health care professionals should improve the knowledge and remove the misconceptions about cancer among PSMI; self-efficacy should also be promoted.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Behaviours Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Phoenix Kit Han
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Mo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Winnie Wing Sze
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland, United States of America.
authors.forename: Eddie Siu Kwan
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
authors.forename: Hanyang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Education and Counselling, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Rebecca Yuen Man
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D051517:Digital Rectal Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult