الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor diagnosed in women in all over the world; yet its incidence differs from one region to another. Globally more than million cases occur annually. Many older women are unaware of their increased breast cancer risk, and have little knowledge about early breast cancer symptoms, and have comorbidities which may hinder participation in breast cancer screening, so older women are being diagnosed with breast cancer at more advanced stages of the disease. Breast cancer does not strike older women alone but the whole family unit and community. Despite considerable social changes, women continue to be the focus of family life. The only way to decrease mortality and morbidity from breast cancer is to detect the disease early through screening activities. Early detection remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control that requires early diagnosis in symptomatic women and regular screening in asymptomatic women. Despite the effectiveness of breast cancer screening behaviors in reducing mortality, research findings indicate that screening rates remain low. Several factors could influence older females’ breast cancer screening participation such as sociocultural, religious, demographic, environmental, and psychological factors. Therefore, seeking breast cancer screening among female older adults is vitally important in achieving breast cancer control goals and improving female older adults’ health related quality of life. |