Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Breast Cancer Screening Motivations and Behaviours for Women aged ≥ 75 years. (#254)

Virginia Dickson-Swift 1 , Jo Adams 1 , Evelien Spelten 1 , Irene Blackberry 2 , Carlene Wilson 3 4 5 , Eva Yuen 6 7
  1. Violet Vines Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VICTORIA, Australia
  2. La Trobe University Rural Health School , John Richards Centre for Ageing Research Chair and Director of the Care Economy Research Institute , Bundoora , VIC, Australia
  3. Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre, Austin Health. , Melbourne , Vic, Australia
  4. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne University, Melbourne , Vic, Australia
  5. School of Psychology and Public Health,, La Trobe University , Bundoora, Vic, Australia
  6. Institute for Health Transformation, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University , Burwood, Victoria , Australia
  7. Centre for Quality and Patient Safety - Monash Health Partnership, Monash Health, Clayton,, Vic , Australia

Aim: Breast cancer screening continues to be the most effective means of detecting breast cancer. Like many countries internationally, the Australian breast cancer screening service specifically targets women aged 50-74. A significant risk factor for breast cancer is age, yet little is known about the risks and benefits of breast cancer screening after age 74.  Breast cancer screening behaviours and motivations of women aged ≥ 75 years were explored in a study funded by the Australian Department of Health.  The study aimed to better understand the breast cancer screening motivations and behaviours of women in this age group. This focused on how decisions were made and how past experiences and access to information shaped screening perspectives.

Method: An exploratory qualitative methodology was followed in the conduct of in-depth interviews with 60 women aged ≥ 75 years from metropolitan, regional and rural locations across Australia. The sample included women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Results: Following thematic qualitative analysis, it was found that many women wished to continue breast cancer screening, particularly if they had been regular screeners.  There was limited information available to women to guide decision making surrounding breast cancer screening and very few women discussed this with health professionals. Many women felt alienated from the health system when reminders for breast cancer screening ceased after age 74. Women in rural areas accessing mobile breast cancer screening services experienced greater disadvantage in no longer receiving reminders to participate in screening.

Conclusions: Women aged ≥ 75 years require more comprehensive information in order to make informed decisions regarding ongoing breast cancer screening. Opportunities to formalise conversations with health professionals regarding screening should be sought. The unique nature of access to mobile breast screening services should be more closely considered for older women to avoid disadvantage.