Cognitions On Breast Cancer Screening Among First-degree Relatives Of Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Study

Objective:The purpose of this study is to explore the cognitions of first-degree relatives of breast cancer patients on breast cancer screening,understand the influencing factors of first-degree relatives of breast cancer patients on breast cancer screening,explore strategies to improve breast cancer screening and provide guidance for further intervention.Methods:A descriptive qualitative study was employed.We selected the participants based on the largest difference sampling method.A total of 17 face-to-face semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with first-degree relatives of breast cancer patients recruited from a third-level hospital from November 2020 to April 2021.The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis with the help of qualitative analysis software Nvivo 12.0.Results:By in-depth interview and comprehensive analysis of 17 first-degree relatives of breast cancer patients,we found that the perceptions of first-degree relatives on breast cancer screening were not identical.After in-depth analysis and refinement of the interviews,we formed the following five themes of "Knowing the disease and screening","Motivation and challenge","Cognitive reassembly","Blueprint for the future" and "Wish lists".1.Theme 1:three sub-themes of "Knowing the disease and screening":1)Disease cognition;2)Screening awareness;3)Knowledge acquisition.2.Theme 2:two sub-themes of "Motivation and challenge":1)Objective existence included unit organization,policy promotion,social support,spatial distance and economic factors,popularization of screening knowledge and cumbersome procedures six aspects;2)Subjective thought included susceptibility perception,heart touching,lack of awareness of screening,energy restriction,psychological effect and medical distrust six aspects.3.Theme 3:two sub-themes of“Cognitive reassembly":1)Thinking change included attitude change and awareness raising two aspects;2)Perceived benefit included early detection and early treatment,responsible for the family and know yourself three aspects.4.Theme 4:five sub-themes of "Blueprint for the future":1)Screening confidence;2)Risk communication;3)Choice tendency;4)Screening together;5)Knowledge transfer.5.Theme 5:six sub-themes of "Wish lists":1)Point and surface combination;2)Policy Support.3)Medical institution support;4)Public welfare support;5)Mass media support 6)Interpersonal support.Conclusion:Through the current study,the results of this study showed that first-degree relatives of breast cancer patients have different cognitions of breast cancer and breast cancer screening,and the overall cognition needed to be improved.And the current study had shown that many factors affect first-degree relatives’ participation in breast cancer screening.After the illness of the relatives,attitude towards breast cancer screening had changed and awareness had improved.The first-degree relatives could perceive benefits of breast cancer screening in many ways and had different plans and preferences for breast cancer screening in the future.Most first-degree relatives were willing to pass on their knowledge of breast cancer and screening to those around them.Meanwhile,the vast majority hoped to expand the publicity of breast cancer screening and focused on the harm of breast cancer to enhance women’s awareness of screening.They also hoped to receive support from various aspects to promote first-degree relatives and other women to actively carry out breast cancer screening.