Clinical Breast Examination: Building the Variables to Promote Uptake in Lower-And-Middle-Income Countries

Background: In lower-and-middle-income countries, clinical breast examination is still relevant for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Advanced breast cancer screening programs are still not widely available in these countries. Exploring the elements that affect females’ decisions to use the service is essential. This chapter discusses the findings of a qualitative descriptive study which sought to explore the perceptions, motivations, and barriers to uptake of clinical breast examination in a developing country, Ghana.

Methods: This was a descriptive qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of twelve females who participated in a clinical breast examination exercise. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed.

Results: Perceived benefits of clinical breast examination were psychological relief, knowledge and skill gain, early diagnosis, and inspiring other females. Respondents were motivated by fear of dying, personal curiosity, excellent patient service, and public awareness. Barriers were poor service delivery, financial constraints, anxiety about hearing a diagnosis of breast cancer, and peer pressure. Self-breast examinations were carried out more frequently by respondents who expressed anxiety related to breast cancer than by those who did not. In general, respondents' understanding of breast cancer and breast cancer detection techniques was poor.

Conclusion: Health interventions in developing countries aimed at promoting health-seeking behaviours, such as the uptake of clinical breast exams, must be redesigned to consider the data regarding the variables affecting these interventions' uptake.