Exploring low uptake for breast screening in West Sussex
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Healthwatch West Sussex worked with a number of partners to understand barriers to take up of breast screening. The survey was open from 18th July until 29th October 2023. 322 people responded to the survey. Around a third didn't attend appointments.
The top 3 reasons why Breast Screening invitations are not taken up were:
- Personal or work commitments
- Fear and embarrassment
- Lack of on-line booking.
The reasons given for not attending when invited include, experience of the service (negative), reasons why they do not attend when invited, administration and information issues, staff, not being invited for the screening as over 70 years, not being invited for screening as under 53 years, transport and parking, dignity, pain and discomfort, disability, and accessibility of the screening unit, working age, and personal choice.
Other reasons were location of appointment, unsure about the breast screening examination, inconvenient appointment, lack of suitable appointments, and lack of support.
It is important to note that 20%responses are from carers, and 4.5% stated that being a carer would affect their ability to attend an appointment due to; time, transport considerations, appointments (which need to be flexible), and work commitments.
The survey also captured that 16% of respondents have a disability, 33% stated they have a long-term condition. 5.7% stated that their health condition would affect them attending a screening. The main reasons cited, impact of health condition, difficulties accessing the screening and needing more flexible appointments and support.
Disappointingly, people stated they experienced poor communication from healthcare professionals. This included some people feeling not listened to, not treated with dignity by the process, how staff communicated instructions during the procedure and when giving results.