The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics
ObjectivesPotentially modifiable risk factors account for approximately 23% of breast cancers, with obesity and alcohol being the two greatest. Breast screening and symptomatic clinical attendances provide opportunities (‘teachable moments’) to link health promotion and breast cancer-prevention advi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2019-06-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e027371.full |
| _version_ | 1819027238716178432 |
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| author | Julia Sinclair Mark McCann Ellena Sheldon Isabel Gordon Lyn Brierley-Jones Ellen Copson |
| author_facet | Julia Sinclair Mark McCann Ellena Sheldon Isabel Gordon Lyn Brierley-Jones Ellen Copson |
| author_sort | Julia Sinclair |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectivesPotentially modifiable risk factors account for approximately 23% of breast cancers, with obesity and alcohol being the two greatest. Breast screening and symptomatic clinical attendances provide opportunities (‘teachable moments’) to link health promotion and breast cancer-prevention advice within established clinical pathways. This study explored knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol as a risk factor for breast cancer, and potential challenges inherent in incorporating advice about alcohol health risks into breast clinics and screening appointments.DesignA mixed-method study including a survey on risk factors for breast cancer and understanding of alcohol content. Survey results were explored in a series of five focus groups with women and eight semi-structured interviews with health professionals.SettingWomen attending NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) mammograms, symptomatic breast clinics and healthcare professionals in those settings.Participants205 women were recruited (102 NHSBSP attenders and 103 symptomatic breast clinic attenders) and 33 NHS Staff.ResultsAlcohol was identified as a breast cancer risk factor by 40/205 (19.5%) of attenders and 16/33 (48.5%) of staff. Overall 66.5% of attenders drank alcohol, and 56.6% could not estimate correctly the alcohol content of any of four commonly consumed alcoholic drinks. All women agreed that including a prevention-focussed intervention would not reduce the likelihood of their attendance at screening mammograms or breast clinics. Qualitative data highlighted concerns in both women and staff of how to talk about alcohol and risk factors for breast cancer in a non-stigmatising way, as well as ambivalence from specialist staff as to their role in health promotion.ConclusionsLevels of alcohol health literacy and numeracy were low. Adding prevention interventions to screening and/or symptomatic clinics appears acceptable to attendees, highlighting the potential for using these opportunities as ‘teachable moments’. However, there are substantial cultural and systemic challenges to overcome if this is to be implemented successfully. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T05:39:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d57ebe3a0ec34a9f913edec48d018bfe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T05:39:18Z |
| publishDate | 2019-06-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-d57ebe3a0ec34a9f913edec48d018bfe2022-12-21T19:14:19ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552019-06-019610.1136/bmjopen-2018-027371The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinicsJulia Sinclair0Mark McCann1Ellena Sheldon2Isabel Gordon3Lyn Brierley-Jones4Ellen Copson51 Clinical and Experimental Sciences Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK 2 MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK3 Core Trainee in Psychiatry, Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education, Plymouth, UK4 Department of Pharmacy Health and Well-being, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK 5 Department of Sociology, University of York, Wentworth College, York, UK6 Cancer Sciences Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKObjectivesPotentially modifiable risk factors account for approximately 23% of breast cancers, with obesity and alcohol being the two greatest. Breast screening and symptomatic clinical attendances provide opportunities (‘teachable moments’) to link health promotion and breast cancer-prevention advice within established clinical pathways. This study explored knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol as a risk factor for breast cancer, and potential challenges inherent in incorporating advice about alcohol health risks into breast clinics and screening appointments.DesignA mixed-method study including a survey on risk factors for breast cancer and understanding of alcohol content. Survey results were explored in a series of five focus groups with women and eight semi-structured interviews with health professionals.SettingWomen attending NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) mammograms, symptomatic breast clinics and healthcare professionals in those settings.Participants205 women were recruited (102 NHSBSP attenders and 103 symptomatic breast clinic attenders) and 33 NHS Staff.ResultsAlcohol was identified as a breast cancer risk factor by 40/205 (19.5%) of attenders and 16/33 (48.5%) of staff. Overall 66.5% of attenders drank alcohol, and 56.6% could not estimate correctly the alcohol content of any of four commonly consumed alcoholic drinks. All women agreed that including a prevention-focussed intervention would not reduce the likelihood of their attendance at screening mammograms or breast clinics. Qualitative data highlighted concerns in both women and staff of how to talk about alcohol and risk factors for breast cancer in a non-stigmatising way, as well as ambivalence from specialist staff as to their role in health promotion.ConclusionsLevels of alcohol health literacy and numeracy were low. Adding prevention interventions to screening and/or symptomatic clinics appears acceptable to attendees, highlighting the potential for using these opportunities as ‘teachable moments’. However, there are substantial cultural and systemic challenges to overcome if this is to be implemented successfully.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e027371.full |
| spellingShingle | Julia Sinclair Mark McCann Ellena Sheldon Isabel Gordon Lyn Brierley-Jones Ellen Copson The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics BMJ Open |
| title | The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics |
| title_full | The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics |
| title_fullStr | The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics |
| title_full_unstemmed | The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics |
| title_short | The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics |
| title_sort | acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer a mixed method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e027371.full |
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