engleski

THE ACCURACY OF SELF-PERCIEVED BREAST CANCER (BC) RISK ASSESMENT DOES NOT AFFECT ATTITUDES TOWARDS BC CHEMOPREVENTION

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge about BC risk factors and attitudes about BC chemoprevention among women without diagnosed BC and to investigate whether the accuracy of self-percieved BC risk affects the willingness to the BC chemoprevention. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 164 women without BC who were referred to an ultrasound or mammographic examination at the Health Center Osijek were included in the study. An anonymous questionnaire about BC risk factors and chemoprevention was administered. Participants reported self-perceived 5-year and lifelong risk of BC using a 5-point Likert scale. Participants' BC risk was objectively estimated using The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT). Results: Participants were divided into 3 groups based on the accuracy of their 5-year risk self-assessment ; 110 participants have accurately stimated their risk, 37 underestimated and 13 overestimated the risk. There was no significant difference (χ2 test) between the groups in knowledge about BC risk factors. The best known risk factor in all groups was having a 1st degree relative diagnosed with BC (χ2 test, P>0, 99). Participants in an overestimated risk group have more relatives with BC, except 1st degree relative with BC (χ2 test, P=0, 006). Participants in the underestimated risk group were older (Kruskal Wallis test, P<0, 001), postmenopausal (χ2 test, P=0, 001), had more chronic illnesses (χ2 test, P=0, 01) for which were taking therapy daily (Kruskal Wallis test, P=0, 004). Conclusion: Raising awareness of chemopreventive options for BC risk reduction may facilitate informed decision about preventative chemotherapy utilization among women with high risk of developing BC.

attitude ; breast neoplasms ; chemoprevention

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