Factors influencing the stages of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis in Thai women

Background: Early diagnosis of breast cancer leads to early treatment therefore improving women's health. However, most Thai women are diagnosed at a late stage. Objective: This cross-sectional correlational study was designed to explore factors influencing the diagnosis of early stage breast cancer in Thai women. Method: Thai women (n=400) newly diagnosed breast cancer at all clinical stages from public hospitals in Bangkok Metropolitan completed a questionnaire about knowledge of breast cancer and screening. The questionnaire addressed pre-diagnosis data about: (1) health care provider's recommendations to undertake breast screening, (2) health coverage for mammography (MM) costs and (3) regularity of breast screening behaviors in terms of breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and MM including stage breast cancer at diagnosis. Data analysis was determined by PASW Statistics version 18 as univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Health coverage for MM costs and all three behaviors were significantly related to and could predict the early stages breast cancer at diagnosis (p<. 0.05): health coverage for MM costs (OR=0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.63), BSE (OR=8.08, CI 95%, 3.93-16.63), CBE (OR=12.54, CI 95%, 2.29-68.65) and MM (OR=5.89, CI 95%, 1.13-30.73). Conclusions: All three behaviors are essential and related to one another. CBE on a regular basis is the best predictor for early stages breast cancer at diagnosis in Thai context. Nurses should provide information and teach including re-check the women's skills to perform BSE regularly.