Intention to be screened following presentation of benefits and harms of breast cancer screening: a study of women’s views in 5 European countries

Background: This study aimed to understand whether being informed about the awareness of benefits and harms of mammography screening impacts on the intention to be screened for breast cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of women from five countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) was performed in January 2021. The survey contained items to measure cognitive variables from the theory of planned behaviour and health belief model and included the 6-item version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q6). Results: A total of 1180 participants responded to the survey. 19.5% of participants (n=230) were able to correctly identify that mammography screening carries both benefits and harms. 56.9% of participants (n=672) responded that they would be more likely to participate in screening in the future after being informed about the benefits and harms of mammography screening. Conclusions: The presentation of simple but accurate information about the benefits and harms of participation in mammography screening to women did not negatively impact upon intention to be screened. Screening programme managers should not be discouraged by the assumption of decreased participation through increasing efforts to address the lack of knowledge on benefits and harms.