In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 2 ( 2022-2-4), p. e0263788-
Abstract:
With the aim of increasing benefits and decreasing harms, risk-based breast cancer screening has been proposed as an alternative to age-based screening. This study explores barriers and facilitators to implementing a risk-based breast cancer screening program from the perspective of health professionals, in the context of a National Health Service. Methods Socio-constructivist qualitative research carried out in Catalonia (Spain), in the year 2019. Four discussion groups were conducted, with a total of 29 health professionals from primary care, breast cancer screening programs, hospital breast units, epidemiology units, and clinical specialties. A descriptive-interpretive thematic analysis was performed. Results Identified barriers included resistance to reducing the number of screening exams for low-risk women; resistance to change for health professionals; difficulties in risk communication; lack of conclusive evidence of the benefits of risk-based screening; limited economic resources; and organizational transformation. Facilitators include benefits of risk-based strategies for high and low-risk women; women’s active role in their health care; proximity of women and primary care professionals; experience of health professionals in other screening programs; and greater efficiency of a risk-based screening program. Organizational and administrative changes in the health system, commitment by policy makers, training of health professionals, and educational interventions addressed to the general population will be required. Conclusions Despite the expressed difficulties, participants supported the implementation of risk-based screening. They highlighted its benefits, especially for women at high risk of breast cancer and those under 50 years of age, and assumed a greater efficiency of the risk-based program compared to the aged-based one. Future studies should assess the efficiency and feasibility of risk-based breast cancer screening for its transfer to clinical practice.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.t005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.t006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0263788.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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