Lay Epistemology of Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Appalachian Women

Recent changes to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for breast cancer screening have contributed to increased patient uncertainty regarding the timing and appropriateness of screening behaviors. To gain insight into the lay epistemology of women regarding breast cancer screening pra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health communication 2017-09, Vol.32 (9), p.1112-1120
Main Authors: Record, Rachael A., Scott, Allison M., Shaunfield, Sara, Jones, M. Grace, Collins, Tom, Cohen, Elisia L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesion
Adult
Age
Ambiguity
Appalachian Region
Breast
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis
Breasts
Cancer
Cross-Sectional Studies
Early Detection of Cancer - methods
Epistemology
Female
Guidelines
Guidelines as Topic
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Knowledge
Mammography
Medical screening
Narratives
Preventive medicine
Qualitative analysis
Qualitative research
Uncertainty
Underserved populations
Women
Womens health
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Summary:Recent changes to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for breast cancer screening have contributed to increased patient uncertainty regarding the timing and appropriateness of screening behaviors. To gain insight into the lay epistemology of women regarding breast cancer screening practices, we conducted in-depth, face-to-face interviews with 24 adult women living in a medically underserved Appalachian region. We found that women were unaware of breast cancer screening guidelines (i.e., start age, frequency, stop age). Qualitative analysis revealed two lay epistemological narratives establishing (a) uncertain knowledge and ambiguity about breast cancer screening guidelines but certain knowledge of other women's experiences with breast cancer diagnoses, and (b) feelings of knowing one's own body best and seeing the value in "overscreening" to save even one life. Our findings have theoretical and practical implications for scholars and practitioners seeking to improve knowledge or behavior regarding adherence to breast cancer screening recommendations.
ISSN:1041-0236
1532-7027
DOI:10.1080/10410236.2016.1214217