Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Perspective from Vietnam

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the breast cancer screening status of women residing in a rural community in Vietnam and factors associated with their breast cancer screening behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed among 498 Vietnamese women aged 20 to 84 years by completing a self-administered Vietnamese version of the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (BCSBQ). To assess the effect of demographic variables on the likelihood of women adhering to recommended screening practices, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: The majority of participants (68.5%) had heard of breast self-examination (BSE), while about one third had heard of clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammograms (38.6% and 29.7%, respectively). Only 18.8% performed BSE monthly and 22.4% had practiced CBE, among those, only 20.5% of women within the targeted age group had annual CBE. None of women within the targeted age group reported they had a mammogram biennial. Education level was the determining factor for participating in CBE. Conclusions: Our study reveals that actual participation in these practices remains low. It is crucial to enhance awareness of mammography and gain a comprehensive understanding of the barriers affecting women's participation in screening practices. Implications for Nursing Practice: This study underscores the need for targeted nursing intervention to address critical barriers to early breast cancer early detection, which contribute to improve access to timely treatment for rural Vietnamese women.