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Alcohol use and breast cancer risk: A qualitative study of women’s perspectives to inform the development of a preventative intervention in breast clinics
Author(s) -
Chambers Sophia E.,
Copson Ellen R.,
DuteyMagni Peter F.,
Priest Caspian,
Anderson Annie S.,
Sinclair Julia M.A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.13075
Subject(s) - medicine , teachable moment , breast cancer , focus group , intervention (counseling) , context (archaeology) , family medicine , qualitative research , alcohol consumption , breast cancer screening , cancer , mammography , nursing , alcohol , psychology , paleontology , social science , biochemistry , chemistry , marketing , sociology , psychoanalysis , business , biology
Abstract Objective This study aimed to explore women's views about breast cancer risk and alcohol use, to inform the design of a prototype for an intervention in breast clinics about alcohol as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. Methods Women recruited in NHS breast screening and symptomatic clinics in Southampton, UK, were invited to take part in semi‐structured telephone interviews or a focus group to discuss their perspectives of breast cancer risk, alcohol consumption and their information needs about these topics. Data were analysed thematically. Twenty‐eight women took part in telephone interviews, and 16 attended one of three focus groups. Results While most women reported a personal responsibility for their health and were interested in advice about modifiable risk factors, few without (or prior to) experience of breast symptoms independently sought information. Many considered alcohol advice irrelevant as the association with breast cancer was largely unknown, and participants did not consider their drinking to be problematic. Women reported trusting information from health organisations like the NHS, but advice needs to be sensitive and non‐blaming. Conclusion NHS breast screening and symptomatic clinics offer a “teachable moment” to engage women with context‐specific advice about alcohol and cancer risk that, if targeted correctly, may assist them in making informed lifestyle choices.