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Purpose: To systematically assess the effectiveness of breast cancer (BC) interventions in improving breast self‐examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), mammogram screening rates, and preventive activities in Muslim refugee and immigrant women. Design Guided by the Health Belief Model, a mixed method systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed using a sequential design. Methods: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis statement (PRISMA), the Critical Appraisal Skill Program Checklists, and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic review and meta‐analysis. A systematic search of English‐language peer‐reviewed articles was undertaken in multiple health and social sciences databases from January 1, 2015, to March 31, 2022. Randomized clinical trials and quasi‐experimental studies focused on the uptake of BSE, CBE, and mammograms were selected. Results: Fourteen articles were included in the review. Most of the studies relied on quasi‐experimental designs and were carried out in the United States of America. The qualitative analysis of BC screening interventions generated three themes: (1) education, (2) access‐focused, and (3) cultural and faith‐based. The meta‐analysis included three randomized control trials and two quasi‐experimental studies. The meta‐analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of community‐led cultural and faith‐based interventions in facilitating the completion of CBE and mammography screening. Education on BC and patient navigator interventions are more effectively used in conjunction than standalone interventions, yet community‐based cultural and faith‐based interventions are the most effective. Conclusion: This systematic and meta‐analysis review provides evidence on the effectiveness of access‐focused and cultural and faith‐based interventions in improving BC screening in Muslim refugee and immigrant women. Future research should focus on designing and measuring the effectiveness of cultural and faith‐based interventions to increase Muslim refugee and immigrant women's BC screening knowledge and practices. Clinical Relevance: This systematic and meta‐analysis review demonstrates the need to explore Muslim refugee and immigrant women's cultural contexts for developing culturally sensitive BC screening interventions. Knowledge and practice of BC and religiosity intersect with financial, geographic, and linguistic barriers to decrease participation in screening and preventive activities in Muslim refugee and immigrant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the rate of lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) in women undergoing routine breast cancer screening (BCS). BCS can reveal pathologies other than carcinoma that involve the breast and lymph tissue. The few studies that have described cases in which BCS led to the diagnosis of LPD were based on small series and focused on imaging rather than clinical characteristics. Setting and Methods: A multi-center retrospective study in Israel, investigating LPD rate and characteristics among women diagnosed with LPD via BCS. Results: Thirty-four patients out of 14,400 consecutive women undergoing BCS at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center during the study period were diagnosed with LPD, suggesting a diagnosis rate of 0.24%. The enlarged cohort (n = 45), including 11 patients that were retrieved from the databases of three other centers, demonstrates a predominant histological diagnosis of non-aggressive LPD (n = 33). Thirty-four (76%) had a suspicious axillary lymph node, and 11 had a breast lesion. The median maximal lesion size was 1.95 cm (range 0.8–6.5). Disease was localized in 60% of patients (stage 1 and 1E). Univariate analysis revealed that lymphocyte count was inversely associated with aggressive histology. At median follow-up of 39 months, all but three patients were alive. These three had been diagnosed with non-aggressive LPD which had never been treated and died from unrelated causes. Conclusions: The LPD detection rate via BCS was 2.36 per 1000 screens. The majority of LPDs were non-aggressive. Nearly a third were aggressive, most detected at an early stage, and the clinical outcome was generally favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower rates of screening for early detection of cancer were reported among ethnic minorities and faith-based communities. The purpose of the article is to assess the effect of a culturally based intervention program intended to increase breast cancer screening adherence among two groups in Israel: ultra-Orthodox Jewish and Arab women. Using a randomized controlled study design, 598 participants completed the 3-month follow-up questionnaire regarding adherence to screening and perceived effect of intervention. Results show that having a lower level of religious beliefs and gaining a better understanding of the importance of screenings were significant predictors of performing breast awareness practice (BAP) and undergoing clinical breast examination (CBE) in both groups. We conclude that interventions should be specifically tailored to cultural groups to reduce barriers stemming from unique beliefs and perceptions, which prevent individuals in these groups from undergoing screening. Special efforts should be made to increase CBE among young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effectiveness of breast cancer screening programs in reducing mortality is well established in the scientific literature. The National Breast Cancer Screening Program in Israel provides biennial mammograms for women of average risk aged 50-74 and annual mammograms for women aged 40-49 at higher risk. Compliance is high, but differential. This study explores different factors associated with breast cancer screening attendance among women aged 40-74 years. Materials and Methods: Two main outcomes were studied: ever been screened and been screened in the 2 years preceding the study, using the cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Survey conducted in 2010-2012 among 2575 Israeli women aged 21+ years. The independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, perceived health status, lifestyle habits, and healthcare fund membership. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted. Results: Of the 943 participants aged 50-74, 87% had ever been screened and 74.8% had attended screening for breast cancer in the last 2 years. In multivariable models, Jewish compared to Arab women (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-4.32), and unmarried compared to married women (APR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2-7.2), were more likely to have ever been screened. The only factor associated with breast cancer screening in the 2 years preceding the study was healthcare fund membership. In women aged 40-49 years, ethnicity was the only contributing factor associated with breast cancer screening, with higher screening rates in the 2 years preceding the study in Jewish versus Arab women (APR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.52-9.3). Conclusions: Breast cancer screening attendance in Israel is high. However, significant differences are observed by membership of healthcare fund and by ethnicity, calling for better targeted outreach programs at this level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the African American Breast Cancer Screening Outreach project, a community-based participatory intervention that was designed to increase the numbers of African American women screened for breast cancer in Texas, especially those who are poor and underserved. The project was very successful, and between 1998 and 2003, more than 114,000 people received cancer information and education and 8,459 African American women who had contact with the project were screened. Several lessons were learned from these experiences that are pertinent to engaging communities to partner with researchers in conducting community-based participatory research and illustrate the application of guiding principles outlined by Israel and colleagues in 1998. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author's earlier study of Russian immigrant women's attitudes and practices related to the early detection of cancer has shown their low participation in breast screening activities, from BSE to mammography. Most respondents were educated women who acknowledged their personal risk, understood the role of screening, but still avoided preventive action. In this qualitative research, the gap between cognitions and behavior is explored further by means of in-depth interviews and focus groups with 34 women aged 50-74 who moved to Israel after 1990. All Israeli women of this age are entitled for screening mammography free of charge once every 2 years. The findings point to a low place of preventive health concerns in the personal agenda of female immigrants, loaded by the more immediate survival needs (income, housing, support of other family members, etc.). Other barriers include the lack of referral from primary care providers, fear of cancer diagnosis, apprehensions of irradiation and pain involved in mammography, fatalist general attitude towards health and illness, and mistrust of current cancer therapy. Many older women (60+), whose risks are actually higher, shared a false belief that breast cancer strikes younger women and they are already past the age of concern. Older informants avoided gynecological clinics because of male gender of most gynecologists, their poor command of Hebrew, and a belief that gynecological checkups are irrelevant and even shameful in their age. It is concluded that female immigrants, especially older ones, must be a special target group for preventive health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]