Background: Young female Hodgkins Disease (HD) survivors are at high risk for breast cancer following chest irradiation. We explored health perceptions, screening behaviors, and barriers of this population.
Methods: Three focus groups and nine individual interviews (n = 22) were conducted.
Results: Women expressed significant misperceptions about breast cancer risk and screening. Screening barriers included avoidance, insurance issues, and lack of physician support.
Conclusion: Female HD survivors would likely benefit from tailored education that links current beliefs with their previous cancer experience. Education about cancer risk may be more effective if delivered in a health-promoting rather than disease-detection framework.