Decisions to decline breast screening and/or breast cancer treatment based on the potential harms of overdiagnosis and overtreatment: a qualitative study
Objectives To explore the experiences of women who have made the decision to decline breast screening and/or breast cancer treatment for overdiagnosis/overtreatment reasons after being invited to the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHS BSP). Design Qualitative interview study using reflexive thematic analysis. Setting Participants were recruited via social media, online forums and word of mouth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May 2021 and April 2022. Participants 20 women aged between 49 and 76 years old who had declined one or more of the following after receiving an invitation to participate in the NHS BSP: (1) screening investigation, that is, mammogram; (2) further investigations, for example, biopsy, ultrasound; (3) treatment, for example, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and (4) any other medical intervention, for example, ongoing medication. Results The three main themes were as follows: (1) the perception that the NHS BSP information
