Advances in Medical Ethics
Open Access

Abstract

Impact of Obesity on Breast Cancer Screening in Korean Women

Se-Jong Kim & Hee-Seung Kim

This study was performed to elucidate whether the obesity or body image is a barrier to breast screening compliance in Korean women. 
We included 54,017 women aged between 35 to 70 years from the Korea Community Health Survey 2014 dataset. To identify of mutual relation between weight perception and breast cancer screening rate, the participants were divided into three groups according to the level of concordance between Body Mass Index and subjective body image. Descriptive analyses, chi-square test and Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.  
After covariate adjustment, the screening rate of overweight group was 1.09 times higher than the normal weight group ([odds ratio, OR], 1.09; [confidence interval, CI], 0.00~ 0.16; p=.038) and the severe obesity group was 1.20 times lower ([OR], 0.83; [CI],-0.36~ 0.00; p=.047). Weight misperception also had a significant influence on the breast cancer screening. Especially, the overweight distortion group was less likely to undergo breast cancer screening ([OR], 0.93; [CI], -0.15~ 0.00; p=.037). Obesity and weight misperception are associated with lower compliance with breast cancer screening guidelines.
 

Published Date: 2021-10-30; Received Date: 2021-05-04