Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communications
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Deanna Sellnow
Committee Member
Dr. Timothy Sellnow
Committee Member
Dr. Ashley McKenzie
Abstract
Breast cancer screening rates remain low among rural women in South Carolina, leading to higher incidences of late-stage cancer diagnosis. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to investigate reasons why many women delay or avoid screenings, even when free screening programs such as the Best Chance Network are available in South Carolina. Guided by the IDEA model, the study explored how women interpret cancer risk, how they seek and trust cancer information, how they understand screening explanations, and what barriers affect their ability to take action. Participants described fear of pain, fear of diagnosis, personal relevance, confusion about the screening guidelines, and everyday logistical challenges such as transportation, cost, long waiting period, and scheduling, all of which shaped their screening decisions. Results show that emotional concerns, informational confusions, and other logistical challenges strongly influence whether women participate in screening. The findings highlighted the need for clearer, emotionally responsive, more supportive, and easier-to-understand communication strategies to improve screening participation among rural South Carolinian women.
Recommended Citation
Jahan, Israt, "Understanding Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening Among Rural Women in South Carolina: A Qualitative Study Using the IDEA Model" (2026). All Theses. 4752.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4752