Mammography Screening Practices And Their Predictors Among Women: Insights From A Local Population Study

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer represents a significant and growing public health challenge in Pakistan, particularly in low-resource settings, where late-stage diagnosis is common and contributes to high mortality rates. Mammography screening is a proven method for the early detection of breast cancer, yet its uptake remains sub-optimal in many regions, including Peshawar.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2025, recruiting 352 women from a MMC General teaching hospital, Peshawar. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered electronic questionnaire(BCSQ). The study employed statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, to examine the relationships between mammography screening practices and key predictor variables such as age, educational level, parity, and place of residence.

Result: The findings revealed a low overall mammography screening rate of 18.2% among the participants. Analysis identified, women aged 30-49 years and those with tertiary education were significantly more likely to have undergone screening. Urban residence also showed a positive and significant association with screening uptake. In contrast, parity was not found to be a statistically significant predictor. The primary motivations were a doctor's recommendation and the desire for early detection; however, adherence to regular screening intervals was poor, with most women reporting irregular patterns.

Conclusion: This study confirms that mammography screening prevalence is low in this local population and is strongly influenced by age, education, and geographic location. The results underscore the urgent need for targeted, multi-faceted interventions. These should include specialized health education campaigns aimed at younger, less-educated, and rural-dwelling women, coupled with efforts to improve access to screening services.