Table 2.
Persons responding (%)† | |
---|---|
1. Personal risk perceptions | |
a. “Where does breast cancer fit into your other health problems?” (n = 33) | |
Bottom of list | 12 (36) |
Don't think about it | 6 (18) |
On top of list | 4 (12) |
All mixed up together | 3 (9) |
No response/not applicable‡ | 8 (24) |
b. “Do you feel like you are high risk for breast cancer?” (n = 31) | |
Don't feel high risk | 20 (65) |
Not sure/sometimes feel high risk | 12 (39) |
Yes-feel high risk | 11 (35) |
Don't think about/dwell on it | 10 (30) |
Women giving more than 1 response during interview§ | 13 (42) |
2. Meaning of “high risk”: (Some individuals gave multiple responses)§ | |
a. “Why did you first come to this high risk clinic?” (n = 33) | |
For family history of cancer | 25 (76) |
For breast problem/pain | 16 (48) |
Seeking gene testing | 1 (3) |
b. “What does being “high risk” mean to you?” (n = 33) | |
Family history | 23 (67) |
Keep an eye on it/catch it early | 15 (45) |
Increased probability of cancer | 3 (9) |
3. Causes of breast cancer: (Some individuals gave multiple responses)§ | |
a. “Why do you think women get breast cancer?” (n = 33) | |
Heredity/gene | 29 (88) |
Emotional | 21 (64) |
Stress/anger | 13 (39) |
Worry/dwell on it | 12 (36) |
Don't know | 18 (55) |
Spiritual (God's will/“what happens happens”) | 14 (42) |
Lifestyle habits | 14 (42) |
Diet/chemicals in food | 11 (33) |
Smoking/drinking | 5 (15) |
Not taking care of body/not getting checked | 7 (21) |
Hormones (HRT, OCT) | 8 (24) |
Bruises/trauma to breasts | 4 (12) |
Reproductive risks (e.g., age at childbirth, breastfeeding) | 3 (9) |
Large breasts | 2 (6) |
Question format varied. See Appendix A
Some individuals did not respond to all questions
Several individuals had no co-morbidities (see Table 1)
Because some individuals gave multiple responses per category, percent totals do not add up to 100%. Quantities indicate the strength of response to themes identified in the qualitative coding