Abstract:
Purpose More than 80% of women with breast cancer in Kenya present to medical care with established
late-stage disease. We sought to understand why women might not participate in breast cancer screening
when it is offered by comparing the views of a cohort of those who attended a screening special event with
those of community controls who did not attend.
Methods All residents living close to three health centers in western Kenya were invited to participate in
screening. Participants (attendees) underwent clinical breast examination by trained physician oncologists. In addition, women who consented were interviewed by using a modified Breast Cancer Awareness
Module questionnaire. Non attendees were interviewed in their homes the following day.
Results A total of 1,511 attendees (1,238 women and 273 men) and 467 non attendee women participated in
the study. Compared with non attendees, the women attendees were older, more often employed, knew that
breast cancer presented as a lump, and were more likely to have previously felt a lump in a breast. In addition,
they were more likely to report previously participating in screening activities, were more likely to have
performed breast self-examination, and were less concerned about wasting a doctor’s time. Almost all those
surveyed (attendees and non attendees) expressed interest in future breast cancer screening opportunities.
Conclusion The women who volunteer for breast cancer screening in western Kenya are more aware of
breast cancer than those who do not volunteer. Screening recruitment should seek to close these
knowledge gaps to increase participation.
