Abstract PS5-10-17: Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening from the Perspective of Primary Care Professionals

Abstract Background: Cancer screening consists of the early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic populations, with the goal of reducing disease-related mortality.Aims: This study aims to assess the knowledge and barriers to breast cancer screening from the perspective of primary care professionals, investigating associations between professionals characteristics, knowledge, and these barriers, with the goal of developing effective strategies to improve the screening program in the state of São Paulo, Brazil—a region marked by significant socioeconomic disparities. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 50 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in the state of São Paulo. A population survey was conducted with a representative sample of 401 primary care professionals. Collected data include professional’s knowledge and characteristics, and barriers to breast cancer screening. These barriers were assessed through a 5-point Likert scale and associated with professionals’ characteristics and knowledge using multinomial logistic regression models. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire designed with RedCap™ software. Analyses were performed using the SPSS v.29 software. Results: Among the professionals interviewed, 82.8% are women and 52.9% are under the age of 44. A majority (88.2%) were employed in the health sector, with 32.6% working in nursing and 18.8% in medicine, while 11.8% held administrative positions. Only 60% were familiar with the guidelines for breast cancer screening and 64% were aware of the law ensuring cancer diagnosis within 30 days. Knowledge levels ranged from 37% to 89%, with higher awareness observed among nurses. From the professionals perspective, the most significant obstacle to breast cancer screening was long waiting times to undergo mammograms, reported by 35% of respondents. Other notable challenges included difficulties in verifying whether the target population was up to date with mammograms (33%) and excessive demand at the PHC (32%). These barriers were mainly reported by nurses, physicians, and professionals working in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. Importantly, knowledge on breast cancer guidelines showed an inverse association with the difficulty in informing the target population about the mammographic screening and its importance, while knowledge on cancer diagnosis legislation was associated with perceptions about long waiting times for screening and diagnostic procedures. Notably, 73% of professionals agreed that the absence of a health information system for screen women with abnormal test results compromises the effectiveness of breast cancer screening programs. Conclusion: The implementation of an organized breast cancer screening program requires strategic actions, specially aimed at reducing the long waiting times and ensuring the target population is up to date with the screening exam. These strategies may be tailored according to the professional role and geographic region of primary care. Furthermore, ongoing training to enhance the knowledge of both healthcare and administrative personnel is essential for addressing barriers to breast cancer screening—particularly those related to delays in screening and diagnosis. A robust and well-integrated information system is also critical to support the effective screening and follow-up of the target population. Collectively, these strategies are being undertaken to guide the establishment of an organized, sustainable, and population-based breast cancer screening program in São Paulo, Brazil. Citation Format: A. B. Câmara, C. Luizaga, L. Cury, C. Contreras, R. Lopes, A. Carvalho, P. Basu, V. Wünsch Filho. Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening from the Perspective of Primary Care Professionals abstract. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-10-17