Path Analysis of Attitude Toward Health Checkup and Breast Cancer on the Application of Physical Therapy after Breast Cancer Surgery

PURPOSE: This study examined women's attitudes toward the use of physical therapy in the treatment process after breast cancer surgery and the degree of interest in this application. Path analysis was conducted to discover the approaches to improve awareness of the necessity of physical therapy intervention after breast cancer surgery. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of 230 women aged 20 years and over with no history of breast cancer. The measurement tool used in this study was a structured questionnaire, composed of 17 items in five fields: five items on the demographic characteristics, four items related to health checkups, four items involving the viewpoints on breast cancer, one item related to the interest in breast cancer, and four items related to physical therapy after surgery. RESULTS: Women's attitudes toward regular health checkups were major factors in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. In addition, those with higher levels of interest in breast cancer showed stronger interest in using physical therapy after breast cancer surgery. CONCLUSION: Women believe that breast cancer can be prevented through the health checkups implemented by the government. Therefore, there is a need to utilize public relations to promote methods for the self-diagnosis of breast cancer in the health checkup system and the use of physical therapy after breast cancer surgery.