The Effect of Fear of COVID-19 on Women’s Beliefs about Breast Cancer Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of fear of COVID-19 on women’s beliefs about breast cancer screening. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 389 women between 40 and 69, the age range for screening in Turkey. The study sample was selected from women attending the Public Education Center and in the courses in this center. Data were collected using the The Personal Data Identification Form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale in Breast Cancer Screening. The scales were administered between 15 May 2022 and 15 June 2022. Results: It was revealed that 69.4% of the women did not have regular mammography, and 34.7% postponed the screening due to the pandemic. It was found that the fear of COVID-19 had a significant effect on the susceptibility (p<0.001) and severity (p<0.001) dimensions of the Health Belief Model Scale in Breast Cancer Screening. It was revealed that a one-unit increase in fear of COVID-19 caused a 0.087-unit increase in the susceptibility dimension (p<0.001) and a 0.301-unit increase in the severity dimension (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study revealed that the fear of COVID-19 did not negatively affect women’s beliefs about breast cancer screening. In order to regain the pre-pandemic momentum in breast cancer screening practices, women should be motivated with trainings on the importance of screening.