A survey of attitudes toward breast cancer screening mammography in the Philippines

Abstract

In the Philippines, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women, and is the main cause of death from cancer in women. Despite this, the rate of mammogram-based breast cancer screening is low. It is likely that the rate of breast cancer screening would increase if women were more aware of its importance.

In the present study, we conducted a survey of hospital staff in the Philippines to identify the reasons for not participating in any breast cancer screening. Additionally, the staff was asked to suggest approaches to increase the screening rate, to raise public awareness about breast cancer screening using mammography, and to make breast cancer screening a regular part of medical care.

We discovered that the staff had a limited knowledge regarding breast cancer screening using mammography. Breast cancer screening is also not widely known throughout the country and most women are unaware that this examination is readily available.