Compliance of breast screening in Malta.

Abstract

Objective This research study was designed to investigate the various reasons why women decide to attend or not attend to the National Breast Screening Centre. Methodology The research tools utilised in this study were a face to face interview with attendees, and a telephone interview with non-attendees which were formulated by the researcher herself A form which is sent by non-attendees for the cancellation of their appointment of breast screening was also analysed for the reasons for non-attendance to the NBSU. This served as another data collection tool used in this study. Results Results showed that most non-attendees prefer to be examined privately whilst most attendees did their mammogram because they were concerned about their health. The analysis of the data showed that the principal reason highlighted in the cancellation form was that women do not see any point in breast screening. Conclusions This study showed that the importance of more breast cancer and breast screening awareness by nurses, doctors and other health care providers is essential so that the overall system is improved and the compliance rate is increased.