Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Malaysian women, with an incidence rate of 38.9 per 100,000 between 2017 and 2021. However, many women in Sarawak remain hesitant to engage in regular screening and treatment. While various reasons have been suggested, the primary barriers have yet to be thoroughly investigated. This study examined the barriers to breast cancer screening and treatment among Sarawakian women. Semistructured interviews were conducted with nine women aged 20 to 70, and the transcripts were analysed using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). The results revealed that fear control responses; such as denial of personal vulnerability and avoidance of cancerrelated
discussions that led to disengagement from preventive healthcare. Many participants believed that discussing or thinking about breast cancer could invite bad luck or cause emotional distress. Financial constraint was not identified as a primary barrier; rather, psychological avoidance and minimising personal risk emerged as more significant factors. Fear of diagnosis or treatment outcomes contributed to reluctance in seeking medical advice, even among those aware of the disease’s severity. The study highlights the need for targeted communication strategies that address fear-driven avoidance and provide emotional and psychological support to reduce fear control responses and promote proactive engagement in screening and treatment.
