Abstract :
Mobile mammography is an effort to provide doorstep screening and address barriers to avail
screening by women. Though many mobile mammography outreaches are there but there is
paucity of data regarding population served and the barriers to avail utilization.
Aims and Objectives: 1. To ascertain the sociodemographic profile of women getting
mammography done; 2. To assess the barriers faced by women in utilization of
mammography screening.
Methodology: Cross-sectional study.
Study Time: 24 months.
Results: During the 24 months of study period, a total of 38 camps were organized and 272
women underwent mammography scan. The mean age of the participants under study was
41 years. Most of the women had middle level of income status (INR 10,001-50,000 per
month) and education levels up to secondary level. The major barriers of participants not
undergoing for mammography scans were: difficulty taking time away from work or family 91
(61.4%), 86 (58.1 %) had fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer and they avoided being
checked, feeling of embarrassment during mammography test 63 (42.5%), 16 (10.8%) were
apprehensive about harmful effect of radioactivity exposure, etc.
Conclusion: In a developing country like India, there is a need for raising awareness in relation
to breast cancer and bust the myths pertaining to mammography screening in population.
Keyword :
Mammography, Chandigarh, Women, Barriers.