Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42045991›Full record

ArticleBMC primary care2026

Bridging the gap in breast cancer screening: the role of primary care and person-centered care in a Polish regional survey.

Katarzyna Nessler, Emily Maghen, Martyna Więcławek, Joanna Stanek, Małgorzata Juszkiewicz, Alicja Grabowska, Rozalia Wrzeszcz, Stefania Bojinova, Aleksandra Góra, Magdalena Grzymek and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC primary care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Katarzyna NesslerDepartment of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland. katarzynanessler@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0001-9869-7923
Emily MaghenFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0002-1675-2285
Martyna WięcławekFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0006-7956-9962
Joanna StanekFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0000-6074-5707
Małgorzata JuszkiewiczFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0008-9342-5476
Alicja GrabowskaFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0000-8177-2106
Rozalia WrzeszczFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0000-4749-507X
Stefania BojinovaFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0002-2510-5522
Aleksandra GóraFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0007-4720-0543
Magdalena GrzymekFamily Medicine Interest Group, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0009-0000-4337-0261
Ewa WójtowiczDepartment of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0000-0002-5991-0047
Grzegorz MargasDepartment of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0000-0001-8096-3760
Adam WindakDepartment of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.ORCID 0000-0001-9844-8935

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBreast cancer mortality in Poland shows a concerning upward trend, contrasting with the declines seen across much of Europe. While primary care is the frontline of the healthcare system, its role in breast cancer prevention remains underutilized. This study aimed to evaluate breast cancer literacy, screening participation, and the specific role of the family physician (FP) in fostering informed, person-centered screening decisions among women in the Małopolska region.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted (August 2024–June 2025) involving 302 women (aged 40–75) recruited from six primary care centers. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews. The study assessed symptom awareness (0–110 scale), sources of health information, and individual risk using the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT). Multivariate linear regression identified factors associated with symptom literacy.

resultsThe mean age was 57.9 years. While lifetime screening participation (mammography or ultrasound) was high at 78.5%, significant knowledge gaps persisted; 43.5% of participants incorrectly believed breast cancer risk remains constant regardless of age. Awareness of common symptoms like lumps was high, but “rash on the nipples” was the least recognized. Gynaecologists were the most frequent professional source (64.0%), while family physicians provided information to 40% of respondents. Notably, passive information channels such as leaflets and social media outranked primary care involvement, being utilized by over half of the participants. However, over 70% of women reported they had not discussed screening in detail with their FP. Furthermore, only one-third of participants were informed about the risks of overdiagnosis/overtreatment, highlighting a gap in the informed consent process.

conclusionsThere is a significant discrepancy between high lifetime screening rates and the depth of patient clinical literacy and informed choice. Primary care centers represent a critical, yet under-leveraged, “preventive medical home.” To align Poland’s mortality trends with Europe, primary care must transition from passive recruitment to a person-centered model. This involves utilizing “teachable moments” during routine visits to provide targeted education on age-related risks and engaging in shared decision-making that addresses both the benefits and harms of screening.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePatient-Centered CarePrimary Health CareAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth LiteracyHumansMammographyMiddle AgedPolandSurveys and QuestionnairesBreast cancer screeningPatient educationPerson-centered carePolandPrimary careShared decision-making

Identifiers

PMID42045991
PMCPMC13267409

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.