A new initiative led by a researcher from the University of Western Australia (UWA) is seeking to increase participation in breast cancer screening programs by addressing barriers related to obesity.
Jennifer Stone, an associate professor in the university's School of Population and Global Health, has received more than $800,000 Australian (513,000 euros) in funding from the Australian government for the program, called BreastScreenPlus. The study will evaluate an intervention designed to improve the screening experience for both women and radiographers and increase rescreening participation, particularly among women living with obesity, according to the UWA.
BetterScreen service delivery staff will receive practical and empathy training in order to improve their management of women with obesity. In addition, women will receive better information about mammography, including visual images to normalize body shapes and sizes, the university said.
The researchers believe that the initiative has the potential to improve breast cancer survival by directly addressing barriers to breast cancer screening participation. They also believe that it may benefit the additional 30% of the screening population who are overweight.
The study will be performed in collaboration with BreastScreen Western Australia, as well as with researchers from the University of Western Sydney and the University of Melbourne.
For more information, go to the UWA website.
