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Breast self-examination and cervical cancer testing among Norwegian female physicians: A nation-wide comparative study

Author

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  • Rosvold, Elin Olaug
  • Hjartåker, Anette
  • Bjertness, Espen
  • Lund, Eiliv

Abstract

Practice of breast self-examination (BSE) and cervical cancer testing (Pap smear tests) was studied in a nation-wide Norwegian representative sample of 284 female physicians aged 24-67. BSE was performed at least once a month in 30.6% of the cases, and 54.6% had a Pap smear test once every third year at least. BSE was never practised among 19.2% of the physicians, the main reasons being that they forgot it, or that they stated that they were in a low risk group or had no symptoms of disease. 16.2% had never had routine Pap smears, and these physicians claimed that they were in a low risk group or had no symptoms of disease, that they had a problem in finding a physician to attend, or that they forgot to take the test. A subgroup of 135 physicians aged 35-49 years was compared with 738 women with higher university education included from a nation-wide representative sample of the general population of Norway. A significantly higher percentage of physicians practised BSE monthly or more often compared with other university educated women. However, a significantly lower percentage of the physicians had Pap smear tests every third year or more frequently. The positive association between being a physician and practising BSE, and the negative association between being a physician and having Pap smear tests, remained after controlling for potential confounders in multivariate analyses.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosvold, Elin Olaug & Hjartåker, Anette & Bjertness, Espen & Lund, Eiliv, 2001. "Breast self-examination and cervical cancer testing among Norwegian female physicians: A nation-wide comparative study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 249-258, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:52:y:2001:i:2:p:249-258
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