Abstract
The study explores knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding screening for breast and cervical cancers. All female teachers in primary and secondary schools in Crotone and in Cassino (Italy) received a questionnaire on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, clinical history, knowledge, behavior and attitudes about breast and cervical cancer and related screening procedures. A response rate of 65% was achieved. Knowledge on effectiveness of mammography and pap test in finding related cancers was widely spread in the sample. Only about 30% and 50% had respectively undergone their last mammogram and pap test according to the recommended time interval. Having been examined by a physician in the previous year and having had a screening CBE or a screening pap smear in the past three years were significantly more likely in women who underwent mammography for screening purposes in the past two years. Pap smear in the previous three years was significantly more likely in women in their forties, with a higher family income and in those who had been examined by a physician in the previous year. The results strongly recommend continued emphasis of physicians on education of women regarding mammography and pap smear.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kelsey JL, Bernstein L. Epidemiology and prevention of breast cancer. Annu Rev Public Health 1996; 17: 47–67.
Nystrom L, Rutqvist LE, Wall S, et al. Breast cancer screening with mammography: overview of Swedish randomized trials. Lancet 1993; 341: 973–978.
Kerlikowske K, Grady D, Rubin SM, et al. Efficacy of screening mammography: A meta-analysis. JAMA 1995; 273: 149–154.
Laara E, Day NE, Hakama M. Trends in mortality from cervical cancer in the Nordic countries: Association with organized screening programmes. Lancet 1987; 1: 1247–1249.
Eddy DM. Screening for cervical cancer. Ann Intern Med 1990; 113: 214–226.
Fahey MT, Irwig L, Macaskill P. Meta-analysis of pap test accuracy. Am J Epidemiol 1995; 141: 680–689.
Ministero della Sanità. Relazione sullo stato sanitario del Paese, 1996. Roma, 1998.
U.S. Task Force Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. Screening for Breast Cancer (Chapter 7). 2nd ed. 1996.
Ministero della Sanità. Linee guida elaborate dalla Commissione Oncologica Nazionale, in applicazione di quanto previsto dal Piano Sanitario Nazionale 1994–1996, relativo all'azione programmata “Prevenzione delle malattie oncologiche”, concernenti l'organizzazione della prevenzione e dell'assistenza in oncologia. Suppl. Ord. G.U. no. 127 1.6.96.
Coleman D, Day NE, Douglas G, et al. European Guidelines for quality assurance in cervical cancer screening — Europe against Cancer Programme. Eur J Cancer 1993; 29A: s1–19.
U.S. Task Force Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. Screening for Cervical Cancer. (Chapter 9) 2nd ed. 1996.
Kirkman-Liff B, Jacobs Kronenfeld J. Access to cancer screening services for women. Am J Public Health 1992; 82: 733–735.
Rakowski W, Rimer BK, Bryant SA. Integrating behavior and intention regarding mammography by respondents in the 1990 national health interview survey of health promotion and disease prevention. Public Health Reports 1993; 108: 605–624.
Smith RA, Haynes S. Barriers to screening for breast cancer. Cancer Suppl 1992; 69: 1968–1978.
Bostick RM, Sprafka JM, Virnig BA, Potter JD. Knowledge, attitudes, and personal practices regarding prevention and early detection of cancer. Prev Med 1993; 22: 65–85.
Calle EE, Flanders WD, Thun MJ, Martin LM. Demographic predictors of mammography and pap smear screening in US women. Am J Public Health 1993; 83: 53–60.
Bostick RM, Sprafka JM, Virnig BA, Potter JD. Predictors of cancer prevention attitudes and participation in cancer screening examinations. Prev Med 1994; 23: 816–826.
Hurley SF, Huggins RM, Jolley DJ, Reading D. Recruitment activities and sociodemographic factors that predict attendance at a mammographic screening program. Am J Public Health 1994; 84: 1655–1658.
Stata Corporation. Stata reference manual. Release 3.1 (6th edition). College Station, TX: Computing Resource Center, 1993.
Zapka JG, Hosmer D, Costanza ME, Harris DR, Stoddard A. Changes in mammography use: Economic, need, and service factors. Am J Public Health 1992; 82: 1345–1351.
Lerman C, Rimer B, Trock B, Balshem A, Engstrom PF. Factors associated with repeat adherence to breast cancer screening. Prev Med 1990; 19: 279–290.
Coleman EA, Feuer EJ, NCI Breast Cancer Screening Consortium. Breast cancer screening among women from 65 to 74 years of age in 1987–88 and 1991. Ann Intern Med 1992; 117: 961–966.
Harlan LC, Bernstein AB, Kessler LG. Cervical cancer screening: Who is not screened and why? Am J Public Health 1991; 81: 885–890.
King ES, Resch N, Rimer B, Lerman C, Boyce A, McGovern-Gorchov P. Breast cancer screening practices among retirement community women. Prev Med 1993; 22: 1–19.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pavia, M., Ricciardi, G., Bianco, A. et al. Breast and cervical cancer screening: Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among schoolteachers in Italy. Eur J Epidemiol 15, 307–311 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007570926967
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007570926967