Attitudes towards breast cancer prevention: an interview study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating attitudes towards chemoprevention among women at elevated risk of breast cancer: a qualitative interview study
IRAS ID
161071
Contact name
Samuel Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Research summary
Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women. In July, 2013 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence recommended that women at elevated risk of breast cancer should be offered medications known as Selective Oestrogen-Receptor Modulators (SERMs) to reduce their risk. However, uptake in countries where breast cancer chemoprevention is already offered is low. Qualitative research investigating socio-cognitive barriers to chemoprevention initiation suggests women are worried about drug side-effects. However, broader issues around the use of medication in this setting are also concerning to women (e.g. that medications are over-prescribed, unnecessary, and poisonous). While these results are interesting and important, the research has largely been performed in countries outside of the UK and in insurance-based healthcare systems.
To gain an insight into the explanations for low initiation in a UK NHS clinical setting, semi-structured interviews with women at elevated risk will be undertaken. Women will be recruited from secondary (family history clinics) and tertiary (clinical genetics services) care. Consenting patients will undergo a 1-hour semi-structured interview that is guided by a psychological framework. Interviews will be de-identified and analysed using thematic analysis (a qualitative technique for identified patterns within data). Study findings will be used to refine the conceptual framework so that it can be effectively implemented in future quantitative studies. The study outcomes will also provide information to clinicians on the difficulties experienced by women during the decision-making process. Service improvements can then be made and interventions can be tailored to provide additional support.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1530
Date of REC Opinion
14 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion