A qualitative exploration of Malaysian cancer patients' perceptions of cancer screening.

• Main Authors: Aljadhey, H. (Author), Farooqui, M. (Author), Farooqui, M.A (Author), Haq, N.U (Author), Hassali, M.A (Author), Knight, A. (Author), Saleem, F. (Author), Shafie, A.A (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adolescent; Adolescent; adult; Adult; aged; Aged; article; attitude to health; cancer staging; Communication Barriers; communication disorder; Early Detection of Cancer; early diagnosis; economics; ethnology; evaluation; female; Female; health care delivery; health care disparity; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Services Accessibility; Healthcare Disparities; human; Humans; interview; Interviews as Topic; Malaysia; mass screening; Mass Screening; middle aged; Middle Aged; MLCS; MLOWN; Neoplasm Staging; perception; poverty; Poverty; psychological aspect; qualitative research; Qualitative Research; Social Perception; standard; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; uterine cervix tumor; vagina smear; Vaginal Smears
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher; View in Scopus

 Despite the existence of different screening methods, the response to cancer screening is poor among Malaysians. The current study aims to examine cancer patients' perceptions of cancer screening and early diagnosis. A qualitative methodology was used to collect in-depth information from cancer patients. After obtaining institutional ethical approval, patients with different types and stages of cancer from the three major ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indian) were approached. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English for thematic content analysis. Thematic content analysis yielded four major themes: awareness of cancer screening, perceived benefits of cancer screening, perceived barriers to cancer screening, and cues to action. The majority of respondents had never heard of cancer screening before their diagnosis. Some participants reported hearing about mammogram and Pap smear tests but did not undergo screening due to a lack of belief in personal susceptibility. Those who had negative results from screening prior to diagnosis perceived such tests as untrustworthy. Lack of knowledge and financial constraints were reported as barriers to cancer screening. Finally, numerous suggestions were given to improve screening behaviour among healthy individuals, including the role of mass media in disseminating the message 'prevention is better than cure'. Patients' narratives revealed some significant issues that were in line with the Health Belief Model which could explain negative health behaviour. The description of the personal experiences of people with cancer could provide many cues to action for those who have never encountered this potentially deadly disease, if incorporated into health promotion activities.