Donnelly Tam Truong, Al-Khater Al-Hareth, Al-Bader Salha Bujassoum, Al-Kuwari Mohamed Ghaith, Abdul Malik Mariam Ali, Al-Meer Nabila, Singh Rajvir
Faculty of Nursing and Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
PLoS One. 2017 Jul 21;12(7):e0180696. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180696. eCollection 2017.
In the Middle East, Qatar in particular, the incidence of breast cancer has substantially increased in recent years, and is expected to double by 2030. This diagnosis also occurs at a later stage in the disease. Early detection along with proper treatment reduces radical mastectomy and mortality rates, yet only one-third of Arab women in Qatar participate in breast cancer screening (BCS) activities of any sort. Many women in the conservative Qatari society rely on male family members for support and protection. This study investigates the attitudes and perceptions of Arab men in regards to breast cancer screening and what they see as both incentives and barriers to women's participation in BCS activities.
A qualitative methodology using purposive sampling technique was chosen in order to explore participant's attitudes, beliefs and health-related actions. Individual in-depth interviews with open-ended questions were conducted with 50 Arab men during October 2011 to May 2012. Data collection, analysis, and interpretation occurred simultaneously. NVivo 9, a qualitative data analysis software program was used to organize themes and subthemes.
It was found that most men understood the importance of regular BCS in early detection of breast cancer. They felt they had an important role in encouraging the women in their lives to participate in BCS activities, but were adamant that any examination must be done by a female health care professional. Few knew details about screening guidelines in Qatar, but most had a basic knowledge of some screening activities. Most indicated an interest in learning more about BC and screening activities in order to better help and inform their female family members.
Because Arab men perceive that their opinions and support are a major factor influencing female family members' participation in breast cancer screening, it is important that any program instituted to increase such screening participation be aimed at both men and women. More information is needed by both sexes as to the need for and benefits of regular screening activities, the techniques used, and the newly revised guidelines in Qatar. Such a program needs to be introduced in the near future in order to avert, at least partially, the expected doubling in breast cancer cases by 2030 in the Middle East.
在中东地区，尤其是卡塔尔，近年来乳腺癌的发病率大幅上升，预计到2030年将翻倍。这种疾病的诊断也多在晚期出现。早期发现并进行适当治疗可降低根治性乳房切除术的比例和死亡率，但卡塔尔只有三分之一的阿拉伯女性参与任何形式的乳腺癌筛查（BCS）活动。卡塔尔保守社会中的许多女性依靠男性家庭成员给予支持和保护。本研究调查了阿拉伯男性对乳腺癌筛查的态度和看法，以及他们所认为的女性参与BCS活动的激励因素和障碍。
采用目的抽样技术的定性研究方法，以探究参与者的态度、信念和与健康相关的行为。2011年10月至2012年5月期间，对50名阿拉伯男性进行了开放式问题的个人深度访谈。数据收集、分析和解释同时进行。使用定性数据分析软件程序NVivo 9来组织主题和子主题。
发现大多数男性明白定期进行BCS对早期发现乳腺癌的重要性。他们觉得自己在鼓励生活中的女性参与BCS活动方面起着重要作用，但坚决认为任何检查都必须由女性医护人员进行。很少有人了解卡塔尔的筛查指南细节，但大多数人对一些筛查活动有基本了解。大多数人表示有兴趣更多地了解乳腺癌和筛查活动，以便更好地帮助和告知他们的女性家庭成员。
由于阿拉伯男性认为他们的意见和支持是影响女性家庭成员参与乳腺癌筛查的主要因素，因此任何旨在提高此类筛查参与度的项目都应针对男性和女性。男女双方都需要更多关于定期筛查活动的必要性和益处、所使用的技术以及卡塔尔新修订指南的信息。这样一个项目需要在不久的将来推出，以便至少部分避免中东地区预计到2030年乳腺癌病例翻倍的情况。
