NHS England breast screening: Who attends, and why? The influence of psychosocial and demographic determinants
- 1School of Science, Psychology, University of Derby, Derby, UK
- 2Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- 3School of Business, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in England. However, participation in the NHS England Breast Screening Programme has consistently fallen below the national minimum standard of 70%.
Objectives: The present study aimed to identify psychosocial predictors of breast screening uptake among women aged 50-70.
Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among women aged 50-70 (n = 250) living in England.
Methods: The study measured constructs derived from the Extended Health Belief Model, breast cancer awareness, and demographic factors. Binomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of attendance at participants’ most recent breast screening appointment and intention to attend their next breast screening appointment.
Results: Educational level, perceived benefits of mammography, and perceived barriers to mammography significantly predicted attendance at participants’ most recent breast screening appointment. Intention to attend future screening was predicted by employment status, perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, and beliefs regarding the benefits and barriers of breast screening practices. Perceived benefits and barriers to mammography emerged as the most consistent predictors across both outcomes.
Conclusion: This study highlights key psychosocial and demographic determinants of engagement with the NHS England Breast Screening Programme. Findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing perceived barriers and increasing awareness of the benefits of breast screening may help improve participation, particularly among underserved groups. Enhancing engagement with breast screening has the potential to support earlier detection and improved breast cancer outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{chapman2026england,
title = {{NHS England breast screening: Who attends, and why? The influence of psychosocial and demographic determinants}},
author = {Sarah Chapman and Brian Fenech and Haritini Tsangari and Daniel Gaffiero},
journal = {Women's Health},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1177/17455057261484363},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261484363},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - NHS England breast screening: Who attends, and why? The influence of psychosocial and demographic determinants
AU - Sarah Chapman
AU - Brian Fenech
AU - Haritini Tsangari
AU - Daniel Gaffiero
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/07
JO - Women's Health
DO - 10.1177/17455057261484363
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261484363
AB - Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in England. However, participation in the NHS England Breast Screening Programme has consistently fallen below the national minimum standard of 70%. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify psychosocial predictors of breast screening uptake among women aged 50-70. Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among women aged 50-70 (n = 250) living in England. Methods: The study measured constructs derived from the Extended Health Belief Model, breast cancer awareness, and demographic factors. Binomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of attendance at participants’ most recent breast screening appointment and intention to attend their next breast screening appointment. Results: Educational level, perceived benefits of mammography, and perceived barriers to mammography significantly predicted attendance at participants’ most recent breast screening appointment. Intention to attend future screening was predicted by employment status, perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, and beliefs regarding the benefits and barriers of breast screening practices. Perceived benefits and barriers to mammography emerged as the most consistent predictors across both outcomes. Conclusion: This study highlights key psychosocial and demographic determinants of engagement with the NHS England Breast Screening Programme. Findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing perceived barriers and increasing awareness of the benefits of breast screening may help improve participation, particularly among underserved groups. Enhancing engagement with breast screening has the potential to support earlier detection and improved breast cancer outcomes.
SN - 1745-5057
SN - 1745-5065
ER -