NHS England breast screening: Who attends, and why? The influence of psychosocial and demographic determinants

AI Summary

Perceived benefits and perceived barriers to mammography were the most consistent predictors of both screening attendance and intention.
Educational level and employment status, plus perceived susceptibility, significantly predicted past attendance and future screening intention.
Interventions reducing perceived barriers and increasing awareness of mammography benefits may improve participation, particularly among underserved groups, supporting earlier detection.

AI Summary

However, participation in the NHS England Breast Screening Programme has consistently fallen below the national minimum standard of 70%.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to identify psychosocial predictors of breast screening uptake among women aged 50-70.DesignA cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among women aged 50-70 (n = 250) living in England.MethodsThe study measured constructs derived from the Extended Health Belief Model, breast cancer awareness, and demographic factors.

Binomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of attendance at participants' most recent breast screening appointment and intention to attend their next breast screening appointment.ResultsEducational level, perceived benefits of mammography, and perceived barriers to mammography significantly predicted attendance at participants' most recent breast screening appointment.

Intention to attend future screening was predicted by employment status, perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, and beliefs regarding the benefits and barriers of breast screening practices.

Basic summary

Womens Health (Lond). 2026 Jan-Dec;22:17455057261484363. doi: 10.1177/17455057261484363. Epub 2026 Sep 7.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer among women in England. However, participation in the NHS England Breast Screening Programme has consistently fallen below the national minimum standard of 70%.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to identify psychosocial predictors of breast screening uptake among women aged 50-70.DesignA cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among women aged 50-70 (n = 250) living in England.MethodsThe study measured constructs derived from the Extended Health Belief Model, breast cancer awareness, and demographic factors. Binomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of attendance at participants’ most recent breast screening appointment and intention to attend their next breast screening appointment.ResultsEducational level, perceived benefits of mammography, and perceived barriers to mammography significantly predicted attendance at participants’ most recent breast screening appointment. Intention to attend future screening was predicted by employment status, perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, and beliefs regarding the benefits and barriers of breast screening practices. Perceived benefits and barriers to mammography emerged as the most consistent predictors across both outcomes.ConclusionThis study highlights key psychosocial and demographic determinants of engagement with the NHS England Breast Screening Programme. Findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing perceived barriers and increasing awareness of the benefits of breast screening may help improve participation, particularly among underserved groups. Enhancing engagement with breast screening has the potential to support earlier detection and improved breast cancer outcomes.

PMID:42706804 | DOI:10.1177/17455057261484363

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