The prevalence and factors for cancer screening behavior among people with severe mental illness in Hong Kong

Objectives: Screening is useful in reducing cancer incidence and mortality. People with severe mental illness (PSMI) are vulnerable to cancer as they are exposed to higher levels of cancer risks. Little is known about PSMI's cancer screening behavior and associated factors. The present study examined the utilization of breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer screening among PSMI in Hong Kong and to identify factors associated with their screening behaviors. Method: 591 PSMI from community mental health services completed a cross-sectional survey. Results: The percentage of cancer screening behavior among those who met the criteria for particular screening recommendation was as follows: 20.8% for mammography; 36.5% for clinical breast examination (CBE); 40.5% for pap-smear test; 12.8% for prostate examination; and 21.6% for colorectal cancer screening. Results from logistic regression analyses showed that marital status was a significant factor for mammography, CBE, and pap-smear test; belief that cancer can be healed if found early was a significant factor for pap-smear test and colorectal screening; belief that one can have cancer without having symptoms was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test; belief that one will have a higher risk if a family member has had cancer was a significant factor for CBE; and self-efficacy was a significant factor for CBE and papsmear test behavior. Conclusions: Cancer screening utilization among PSMI in Hong Kong is low. Beliefs about cancer and self-efficacy are associated with cancer screening behavior. Health care professionals should improve the knowledge and remove the misconceptions about cancer among PSMI; self-efficacy should also be promoted

The prevalence and factors for cancer screening behavior among people with severe mental illness in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES: Screening is useful in reducing cancer incidence and mortality. People with severe mental illness (PSMI) are vulnerable to cancer as they are exposed to higher levels of cancer risks. Little is known about PSMI's cancer screening behavior and associated factors. The present study examined the utilization of breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer screening among PSMI in Hong Kong and to identify factors associated with their screening behaviors. METHOD: 591 PSMI from community mental health services completed a cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: The percentage of cancer screening behavior among those who met the criteria for particular screening recommendation was as follows: 20.8% for mammography; 36.5% for clinical breast examination (CBE); 40.5% for pap-smear test; 12.8% for prostate examination; and 21.6% for colorectal cancer screening. Results from logistic regression analyses showed that marital status was a significant factor for mammography, CBE, and pap-smear test; belief that cancer can be healed if found early was a significant factor for pap-smear test and colorectal screening; belief that one can have cancer without having symptoms was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test; belief that one will have a higher risk if a family member has had cancer was a significant factor for CBE; and self-efficacy was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer screening utilization among PSMI in Hong Kong is low. Beliefs about cancer and self-efficacy are associated with cancer screening behavior. Health care professionals should improve the knowledge and remove the misconceptions about cancer among PSMI; self-efficacy should also be promoted

Logistic Regression on Cancer Screening Behavior among People with Severe Mental Illness.

<p>*p<.05,</p><p>**p<.01,</p><p>***p<.001, Abbreviations: OR_U = odds ratio obtained using univariate logistic regression, OR_M = odds ratio obtained from stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis using univariately significant variables as candidate variables; CI = confidence interval;</p><p>— not applicable.</p><p>Logistic Regression on Cancer Screening Behavior among People with Severe Mental Illness.</p

Cancer Screening Behavior Reported in Other Studies.

<p>* Only digital rectal examination was reported in the study</p><p>Abbreviations: MI = Mental illness; PSA = Prostate specific antigen test; DRE = Digital rectal examination; NA = Data not available</p><p>Cancer Screening Behavior Reported in Other Studies.</p

Background Characteristics of the Participants.

#<p>Total number varied slightly for each variable due to missing data.</p><p>Background Characteristics of the Participants.</p

Cancer Screening Behavior among People with Severe Mental Illness.

1<p>The age for each cancer screening was set based on the screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society.</p>2<p>Total number higher than the number of people having taken colorectal cancer screening as some participants have taken more than one type of colorectal cancer screening.</p><p>Cancer Screening Behavior among People with Severe Mental Illness.</p

Knowledge and Perceptions about Cancer among People with Severe Mental Illness.

<p>Knowledge and Perceptions about Cancer among People with Severe Mental Illness.</p

The Prevalence and Factors for Cancer Screening Behavior among People with Severe Mental Illness in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVES: Screening is useful in reducing cancer incidence and mortality. People with severe mental illness (PSMI) are vulnerable to cancer as they are exposed to higher levels of cancer risks. Little is known about PSMI's cancer screening behavior and associated factors. The present study examined the utilization of breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer screening among PSMI in Hong Kong and to identify factors associated with their screening behaviors. METHOD: 591 PSMI from community mental health services completed a cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: The percentage of cancer screening behavior among those who met the criteria for particular screening recommendation was as follows: 20.8% for mammography; 36.5% for clinical breast examination (CBE); 40.5% for pap-smear test; 12.8% for prostate examination; and 21.6% for colorectal cancer screening. Results from logistic regression analyses showed that marital status was a significant factor for mammography, CBE, and pap-smear test; belief that cancer can be healed if found early was a significant factor for pap-smear test and colorectal screening; belief that one can have cancer without having symptoms was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test; belief that one will have a higher risk if a family member has had cancer was a significant factor for CBE; and self-efficacy was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer screening utilization among PSMI in Hong Kong is low. Beliefs about cancer and self-efficacy are associated with cancer screening behavior. Health care professionals should improve the knowledge and remove the misconceptions about cancer among PSMI; self-efficacy should also be promoted