Inhibiting and Facilitating Factors Concerning Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis Behavior in Turkish Women: A Qualitative Study According to the Health Belief and Health Development Models

Aim: The aim of the present study is to investigate the perceived inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning breast cancer early diagnosis behavior in women over age 40. Method: A qualitative focus group interview method was applied with 43 participating women, in the period between March-April 2010, using a semi-structured interview questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model and the Health Development Model. Content analysis was used to analyse study data. Results: Inhibiting factors such as women's lack of knowledge regarding breast cancer and early detection behaviors, lack of health insurance and transportation facilities, financial difficulties, difficulty to make an appointment, scarcity of female doctors, feeling of embarrassment, lack of awareness-negligence, forgetting, feeling of fear, and a fatalistic approach were frequently discussed. Among facilitating factors, informed level, concerned and tolerant health care personnel, free health services, free transportation to hospital, improved appointment system, telephone reminders were included. Conclusion and Recommendations: Focus group interviews were found to be effective in determining inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning breast cancer early diagnosis behavior. National and regional training programs configured in accordance with the data obtained in the study may be effective in the implementation and maintenance of early diagnosis.