Decisions to decline breast screening and/or breast cancer treatment based on the potential harms of overdiagnosis and overtreatment: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To explore the experiences of women who have made the decision to decline breast screening and/or breast cancer treatment for overdiagnosis/overtreatment reasons after being invited to the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHS BSP).

Design

Qualitative interview study using reflexive thematic analysis.

Setting

Participants were recruited via social media, online forums and word of mouth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May 2021 and April 2022.

Participants

20 women aged between 49 and 76 years old who had declined one or more of the following after receiving an invitation to participate in the NHS BSP: (1) screening investigation, that is, mammogram; (2) further investigations, for example, biopsy, ultrasound; (3) t

SUBMITTER: Jeffers S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11647357 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature