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Table 1 Key aspects of faith-based messages targeting screening behavior

From: Views of Somali women and men on the use of faith-based messages promoting breast and cervical cancer screening for Somali women: a focus-group study

Faith-Based Topic

Key Messages

Predestination

• Screening does not bypass predestination

• Seeking good health is consistent with faith

• Treatment is also predestined and is there to be taken

• Screening is an opportunity to be taken

The role of modesty

• Modesty of the heart is as important as of the body

• It is preferred to see a doctor of the same gender

• It is acceptable to see a doctor of the opposite gender

• It is more important to seek a doctor who has knowledge and confidence in the health need at hand, than a doctor of the same gender.

• In an emergency situation, it is important to first consider how to protect life, the concept of modesty remains but is secondary to protection of life.

Cancer screening and treatment

• Prevention of disease is a faithful and religious thing to do

• Religion encourages care of the body along with the mind

• Prevention is better than cure

• Allah has entrusted you to care well for your life and body