Publication:

Exploring barriers to mammography screening among women aged 40 to 74 attending Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation outpatient department: a knowledge, attitude and practice study

Background Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Guyana, with rising cases despite free screening availability. This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women aged 40 to 74 regarding mammography screening to identify barriers and enhance the uptake of mammography screening among Guyanese women.

Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation outpatient department from October 1st to October 29th, 2025. Data were collected through a structured electronic questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Pearson’s correlation.

Results Among 384 women, the overall awareness of breast cancer and mammography was high (73.4% and 63.4%, respectively), but the attitudes of the participants were negative (64.6%), and screening practices were poor (9.4%). The knowledge of mammography was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, education, region, and family history of breast cancer. The reasons for not having a mammogram includes lack of time (8.3%), fear of finding something (7.3%), cultural or religious beliefs (7.0%), cost (6.1%), worried about pain (26.7%), fear of diagnosis (23.6%), embarrassment (21.3%), and no expected benefits (11.3%).

Conclusions In Guyana, although many women are aware of breast cancer and mammography, the screening uptake remains low. To improve participation, interventions must move beyond education and focus on emotional support, service accessibility, and culturally appropriate outreach.