SCREENING BREAST CÂNCER: HEALTH BEHAVIOR AMONG FEMALE USERS OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE UNITS

Tanielly P. Sousa, Janaína V. Guimarães, Flaviana Vieira, Ana K.M. Salge. Universidade Federal de Goiás

ABSTRACT:Objective: A study to investigate the association between women’s health behavior and their adherence to breast câncer screening tests. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Family Health Stiategy in Goiânia, Brazil. Data were collected from 320 women aged between 40 and 69 years who were recruited during the months of May to July of 2016.Variables related to health behavior, use of health Service, obstetric and Gynecologic history, personal and family histoiy of breast câncer were evaluated. Results: Professional recommendation for performing the clinicai breast examination (CBE), mammography (MMG) and ultrasonography (USG) at some point in life, the last gynecological visit to less than 3 years (p<0,001) and annual gynecological examination (p<0,001) favored signifícantly the practice of all screening tests. Women with adequate body mass index (BMI) (p=0.029) and were visited by a health professional or a community health worker (p=0.009) performed periodic CBE. There was a significant association between having a family history of breast câncer and perform more CBE (p=0,007) and USG (p=0,034). Women in the 50-69 age group (p <0.001) and those with children (p <0.001) performed signifícantly more MMG. Those who had health insurance were more likely to perform CBE (p = 0.018) and MMG (p = 0.065). Conclusions: BMI appropriate, the age group of 50 to 69 years, having a health insurance, having a family history of câncer, having children, visit the gynecological clinics annually, receiving visits from a health professional or community health worker contribute to the success of the breast screening. Thus, health behavior can influence the adherence of women to CBE, MMG and USG, therefore certain aspects need to be worked on in the educational process of women during professional practice, in a more significant cultural context, with a higher chance of adherence to screening of breast câncer.Breast câncer; Mass screening, Health behavior; Primary health care.