BreastWISE: Feasibility of a breast cancer prevention programme for among women attending breast screening services
1
School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
2
Population Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, Australia
3
BreastScreen SESI, Kogarah, Australia
4
BreastScreen Monash, Melbourne, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer for Australian women, with rising incidence partly due to increasing modifiable factors including obesity, alcohol and physical inactivity. Primary prevention of cancer by addressing potentially modifiable risk factors has recently been identified by the NSW Cancer Institute as a priority area. The BreastScreen setting offers an untapped opportunity to motivate health behaviour change through targeted risk communication.
OBJECTIVES:
This study explored the feasibility and impact of delivering brief, tailored breast cancer risk reduction advice within BreastScreen services, with referral to support services where appropriate.
METHODS:
One-on-one semi-structured interviews, informed by an interview guide, with conducted among BreastScreen NSW staff, stakeholders and clients. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to risk communication, education delivery, and how brief interventions can be integrated into routine screening practice.
RESULTS:
N = 12 interviews with BreastScreen staff and stakeholders and n = 23 client interviews were conducted clients. Results indicate the delivery of clear information about weight, alcohol, and physical inactivity risks, is viewed as acceptable. Findings to date also indicate simple, structured interventions that use motivational messaging, and referral to support services are feasible. The importance of interventions that empower without stigma, was highlighted as being important.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings demonstrate support for integrating risk reduction interventions within BreastScreen programs. This approach leverages screening attendance as a timely catalyst for health-promoting action, supporting women to address modifiable breast cancer risks. These data will be used to inform policy on delivery of cancer prevention initiatives in BreastScreen NSW services and will inform co-design of pilot interventions that can be scaled for national implementation. This approach has potential to reduce population breast cancer risk and improve incidence rates among Australian women.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer for Australian women, with rising incidence partly due to increasing modifiable factors including obesity, alcohol and physical inactivity. Primary prevention of cancer by addressing potentially modifiable risk factors has recently been identified by the NSW Cancer Institute as a priority area. The BreastScreen setting offers an untapped opportunity to motivate health behaviour change through targeted risk communication.
OBJECTIVES:
This study explored the feasibility and impact of delivering brief, tailored breast cancer risk reduction advice within BreastScreen services, with referral to support services where appropriate.
METHODS:
One-on-one semi-structured interviews, informed by an interview guide, with conducted among BreastScreen NSW staff, stakeholders and clients. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to risk communication, education delivery, and how brief interventions can be integrated into routine screening practice.
RESULTS:
N = 12 interviews with BreastScreen staff and stakeholders and n = 23 client interviews were conducted clients. Results indicate the delivery of clear information about weight, alcohol, and physical inactivity risks, is viewed as acceptable. Findings to date also indicate simple, structured interventions that use motivational messaging, and referral to support services are feasible. The importance of interventions that empower without stigma, was highlighted as being important.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings demonstrate support for integrating risk reduction interventions within BreastScreen programs. This approach leverages screening attendance as a timely catalyst for health-promoting action, supporting women to address modifiable breast cancer risks. These data will be used to inform policy on delivery of cancer prevention initiatives in BreastScreen NSW services and will inform co-design of pilot interventions that can be scaled for national implementation. This approach has potential to reduce population breast cancer risk and improve incidence rates among Australian women.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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