Health behavioural theories and their application to women's participation in mammography screening

The most effective method of detecting breast cancer amongst asymptomatic women is by mammography screening. Although, most countries have this preventive measure in place for women within their society; most of these programmes still struggle with women’s attendance. This article discusses four health behavioural theories and models, in relation to mammography screening, including the health belief model, theory of planned behaviour, trans-theoretical model, and the theory of care seeking behaviour that may explain the factors affecting women's participation in mammography screening. In summary, analysis of these theories indicates that the theory of care seeking behaviour has value for exploring the factors affecting women's participation in mammography screening. This is because of its sensitivity to socioeconomic differences that exists amongst women in the society, and that it has a broader construct (such as habit and external factors) compared to the other health behavioural theories.