Objective: To survey factors of importance for attendance in the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP).
Methods: Simple forced choice questionnaires were sent to 1221 women, in four categories: not attended, screened negative, false positive, and breast cancer cases. The response rate was 80.7%.
Results: Women who were invited to the NBCSP reported positive opinions about being invited and the provided information. This response was independent of attendance and screening result. An experience of pain during screening examination was reported in the same proportion among women who were screened negative and false positive (p = 0.27). Unsatisfactory care was reported in a significantly lower rate among women who were screened negative, compared to the false positive (p = 0.02) and breast cancer cases (p < 0.01). Re-attendance was significantly higher among women who were screened negative (91.8%), compared to the false positive (83.9%, p < 0.01). Experienced pain seemed to influence re-attendance among the false positive, while care seemed to influence re-attendance among women who were screened negative. Intention to re-attend was significantly associated with the rate of re-attendance (p < 0.01) and it was the only significant predictor for re-attendance (OR = 5.4, 95% CI: 1.8-16.7) in a multiple logistic regression analysis with intention, age, experienced pain, experienced care and waiting time included in the model. Age did not have much influence on results.
Conclusion: Women, who were invited to the NBCSP, reported positive opinions about the program. Re-attendance was related to previous screening results, partly by, experienced pain and care.