Smith L

Bio: Smith L is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Breast self-examination & Breast biopsy. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 35 citations.

Engagement in breast cancer screening behaviors.

Abstract: PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To distinguish women who engaged in recommended breast cancer screening from those who did not. DESIGN: Descriptive design, with quantitative measures. SETTING: Urban, county hospital serving many low-income clients. SAMPLE: 119 women, age 51 to 80, who had not had mammograms in the last 13 months. METHOD: Nurse-conducted telephone interviews that incorporated a modified Profile of Mood States, Attitudes Towards Mammography Scale, Barriers Scale, and reports of engagement in mammography and clinical breast exam (CBE) in the last 13 months and breast self-exam (BSE) practice in the last 3 months. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Affect, beliefs, facilitators, and knowledge regarding screening; engagement in mammography, CBE, and BSE. FINDINGS: In discriminant analyses of engagement in mammography and CBE, affect, barriers, prior history of breast problems, and race were significant variables. In discriminant analysis of BSE, history of breast biopsy, family history of breast cancer, beliefs about screening and cancer, prior instruction in BSE, and being single were significant variables. CONCLUSIONS: Variables that discriminated between use and non-use of professional screening were different from those that discriminated between use and non-use of BSE. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses can promote professional breast screening by addressing women's negative affect, prior breast concerns, and barriers, especially among Caucasians. Nurses can promote monthly BSE by supporting realistic beliefs about screening and cancer as well as by demonstrating BSE, especially among married women.

Factors Associated with Mammography Utilization: A Systematic Quantitative Review of the Literature

Abstract: Objective: A significant segment of women remains underscreened with mammography. We sought to summarize literature related to factors associated with receipt of mammography. For data sources, we used English language papers published between 1988 and 2007, including 221 studies describing 4,957,347 women. Methods: We calculated odds ratios (ORs) associated with receipt of mammography. Random effects modeling was used to assess trends in mammography utilization and to calculate summary multivariate point estimates. Results were stratified by age, race/ethnicity, and study year. We summarized results between 1988 and 2004 and compared recent years with these results. Results: Physician access barriers, such as not having a physician-recommend mammography (adjusted OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.08-0.33) and having no primary care provider (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32-0.53), were highly predictive of not obtaining mammography. Past screening behavior correlated strongly with receipt of mammography (clinical breast exa...

Utility of health belief model as a guide for explaining or predicting breast cancer screening behaviours

Abstract: Utility of health belief model as a guide for explaining or predicting breast cancer screening behaviours Aim. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of HBM as a theoretical guide for predicting breast cancer screening and therefore for guiding intervention studies. Background. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for middle age women (35–50) and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in all women in the United States (US). Early detection of breast cancer through screening is the only option available to women. However, less than half of all women in the US participate in screening. The health belief model (HBM), which specifies interactions of values and beliefs about health and their influence on choices, has been widely used to explain screening behaviour. Methods. An integrative research review analysed 16 published descriptive studies employing HBM. Literature was located through a search of research based studies listed in Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Medline, and cancer literature databases and studies cited in other references between 1990 and 1999. Findings. Application of HBM was inconsistent. No study tested nonlinear relationships between variables as specified in the model. At best, the model explained 47% of the variance in screening behaviour when socioeconomic status was included. Otherwise predictive power was low, ranging from 15 to 27%. Conclusions. While the model provides some description of the values, beliefs and behaviours of middle-aged women primarily, HBM does not appear to have the power to consistently predict behaviours. Further research is needed to provide more thorough depiction of the social, nonhealth care meaning of breast cancer.

Knowledge and behavior regarding breast cancer screening among female teachers in Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the knowledge and practices of 425 female secondary school teachers from 20 selected secondary schools in Selangor, Malaysia on breast cancer screening (BCS). A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. This study showed moderate to low knowledge on breast cancer (BC) and BCS among teachers. Only 19%, 25% and 13.6% eligible women performed breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography respectively, on a regular basis. Level of breast cancer knowledge was significantly associated with BSE (p 0.05) and age, family history of breast cancer, marital status or having health insurance. Efforts are needed to increase knowledge and remove misconceptions about breast cancer and screening practices among Malaysian women.

Screening behaviors among African American women at high risk for breast cancer: do beliefs about god matter?

Abstract: Purpose/Objectives: To examine the relationship between beliefs about God as a controlling force in health and adherence to breast cancer screening among high-risk African American women. Design: Cross-sectional cohort. Setting: In-person interviews in rural, southeastern Louisiana and telephone interviews conducted at the University of Utah. Sample: 52 females who were members of a large kindred with a BRCA1 mutation; no subjects had breast cancer. Methods: Survey through in-person or telephone interviews. Main Research Variables: Belief in God as a controlling agent over health measured by the God Locus of Health Control (GLHC) scale; screening behaviors measured by self-report. Adherence was based on consensus-approved recommendations for BRCA1 carriers or women at risk of being carriers. Findings: Bivariate analysis indicated that presence of a primary care provider and low GLHC scores were associated with seeking clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography. With the variable "presence of a primary care provider" excluded, GLHC scores were inversely associated with seeking CBE and mammography. Conclusions: African American women at increased risk for breast cancer and with high GLHC scores may have a decreased inclination to adhere to CBE and mammography recommendations. Implications for Nursing: Assessing religious and spiritual beliefs and incorporating belief systems into education and counseling sessions may improve understanding and acceptance of presented material.

Breast cancer: the intention to have a mammography and a clinical breast examination - application of the theory of planned behavior

Abstract: The purpose of these cross sectional studies was to identify the psychosocial factors explaining women's intention to have a mammography within the next two years and their intention to have a clinical breast examination (CBE) by a professional within the next year. Two random samples of women aged 40–69 years (na = 354, nb = 344) completed a self-administered questionnaire that investigated theoretical constructs of the theory of planned behavior. The results of structural equation modeling showed that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control explained 81 % of the variance in intention of having a mammography. Sixty-five percent (65%) of the variance in intention of having a CBE was explained by attitude and perceived behavioral control. In conclusion, women need to be better informed, have better skills to overcome psychological and physical barriers in performing preventive breast behaviors, and promotion of preventive breast cancer methods should consider people significant for women.