Alcohol use and breast cancer risk: A qualitative study of women’s perspectives to inform the development of a preventative intervention in breast clinics

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 cl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of cancer care 2019-07, Vol.28 (4), p.e13075-n/a
Main Authors: Chambers, Sophia E., Copson, Ellen R., Dutey‐Magni, Peter F., Priest, Caspian, Anderson, Annie S., Sinclair, Julia M.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
alcohol
Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects
Alcohol Drinking - prevention & control
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcohol use
Alcohols
Attitude to Health
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - etiology
Breast Neoplasms - prevention & control
Breast Neoplasms - psychology
Cancer Care Facilities
Drinking behavior
England
Female
Health risk assessment
Health risks
Humans
Intervention
Middle Aged
Needs Assessment
Nursing
Original
Patient Education as Topic
patient information
prevention
qualitative
Qualitative research
Risk analysis
Risk Factors
Screening
Social Responsibility
Telephone
Womens health
Young Adult
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0961-5423
1365-2354
DOI:10.1111/ecc.13075