• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.89-101
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• 1997

Breast cancer ranks as one of the major health problems in adult women. The purpose of this study is to determine relationships among the practice of Breast Self-Examination(BSE) and the variables of cancer risk and other genernal factors. This knowledge may be helpful in designing a BSE educational program to promote breast self-examination on a regular basis. The study population included 205 women who live in K city. Personal interviews were conducted to determine the individual's breast self-examination behavior, the level of Breast Cancer Risk according to general factors as well as her reasons for not doing a breast self-examination. The collected data was analyzed with an SAS program The results were summarized as follows : 1. The level of Breast Cancer Risk of the subjects is as follows: high risk(9%), moderate risk(11%), boderline risk(12%), no increased risk (68%). 2. There was no difference in the practice of BSE between women who were at high cancer risk and at no increased cancer risk. 3. BSE practice levels according to general foctors were significantly related to the residence and the level of education of the subjects. The performing of regular breast self-examination in urban areas was 7% and in rural areas was 0%. Regularly practiced breast self-examination in women with a low education was 5% and in college educated women, it was 29%. 4. BSE education was significantly related to the residence and the level of education of the subjects. The majority learned BSE through 'a magazine or journal'. 5. The reason of the majority of women did not perform a regular breast self-examination was, 'Didn't know the BSE technique'. On the basis of this study it can be concluded that the development of a BSE education program is needed to help women perform the examination correctly.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4925-4930
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• 2013

Background: The aim of this study was to determine beliefs concerning breast self-examination in first- and second-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer and evaluate their breast self-examination (BSE) application. Materials and Methods: A survey study was conducted in an oncology polyclinic and general surgery clinic of a hospital in Ankara, the capital of Turkey with a sample of 140 women. Results: It was determined that 60.7% of the participants had conducted BSE and 48.1% had undergone a clinical breast examination. Perceived selfefficacy of the women who performed BSE were significantly higher compared with women who did not practice BSE (p<0.001) Furthermore, perceived barriers were lower among those who had performed BSE (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that women who perceived higher self-efficacy (OR: 1.119, 95% CI: 1.056-1.185, p<0.001) and had regular CBE (OR: 8.250, 95% CI: 3.140-21.884, p<0.001) and educational status (OR: 5.287, 95% CI: 1.480-18.880, p<0.01) were more likely to perform BSE. Conclusions: Findings from this study indicated that perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, and educational status could be predictors of BSE behavior among the first- and second-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer. Therefore, BSE training programs that emphasize self-efficacy and address perceived barriers are recommended.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the relationship among knowledge, self-efficacy and compliance behavior on breast self examination(BSE) of female college students'. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with a convenient sample of 499 female college student. Surveyed data collected from May to August 2008 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The mean score of knowledge and self-efficacy concerning BSE was low, and compliance was high. The levels of knowledge, self-efficacy and compliance were differed significantly by experience of thinking about breast cancer, perceived susceptibility of breast cancer, experience of meeting with breast cancer patient, and educational experience of BSE. Significant correlations were found between knowledge and compliance, knowledge and compliance, knowledge and self-efficacy. Knowledge and self-efficacy were a powerful predictor of compliance. Conclusion: Focus on perceived knowledge, self-efficacy about breast self examination(BSE) of female college students may be beneficial to improve compliance, and should be reflected in the development of effective BSE education program.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6159-6161
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• 2012

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was aimed to evaluate women breast self-examination (BSE) practice and effects of a planned educational programme for breast cancer and BSE. The samples of the study consisted 266 women. The study data were collected by a questionnaire in six months periods as two times in a month in which the periods were defined and announced to all women. After that all the women were informed about BSE. The statue of performing BSE of women (n=146) was evaluated. They were interviewed on phone after 6 months. The collected data were analyzed by using statistical SPSS program. The average age of women was $35.68{\pm}7.54$. It is also determined that (61.3%) had no knowledge about BSE, (87.6%) had examined clinical breast examination (CBE) in a year and half of them (50.8%) never practiced BSE, (29.0%) had BSE regularly every month. Concerning the status of BSE practice before the education and after the education significant difference is found statistically (p<0.00). The significance of this study is that it is to give education about breast cancer and BSE for raising awareness among women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7707-7711
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• 2013

Aims: To evaluate breast self examination (BSE) practice and the effect of a training program conducted by healthcare professionals on BSE. Materials and Methods: Women were randomized into control and test groups with both groups completing a questionnaire and three independent interviews where their BSE practices were evaluated. Results: In all, 39.5% of the participants were previously provided information on BSE by healthcare professionals while 25.8% had no knowledge of BSE prior to enrollment. Compared to those informed about BSE through other means such as television, radio, and the internet, the scores of the first, second, and third visits were higher (p<0.05) in individuals who received BSE education from healthcare professionals and hospitals. Conclusions: BSE training provided by healthcare professionals may increase early breast cancer diagnosis and treatment rates by improving BSE awareness and practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6525-6529
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the health beliefs and knowledge about breast self examination (BSE) and the actual BSE habits of female university nursing students. Materials and Methods: The study sample recruited 189 nursing students who agreed to participate in the study. Descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, one way ANOVA test, t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: 83.1% of nursing students had knowledge about breast cancer (BC) and BSE in the study. BSE was practiced by 70.4% of nursing students; 21.8% of them performed BSE regularly. A fear of developing BC was an incentive for 85% of nursing students to practice BSE. The confidence subscale scores in the third and fourth years of students' university education were higher, and the barrier subscale score in these same years was lower than their first years of study. Perception of benefit of nursing students experiencing breast-related discomfort exerted a positive effect. Nursing students with lower perception of barriesr performed BSE regularly. In conclusion, nursing students' years of university study, breast cancer knowledge, history of breast cancer in family, and BSE practice status were factors affecting their health beliefs. Conclusions: These study results indicate the importance of developing education and training programs which educate not only nursing students but all women about breast cancer, its symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis and of regular BSE.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-97
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify knowledge, facilitators, and barriers of breast self-examination(BSE) in Korean couples for developing a continuous regular BSE promotion program. Method: This descriptive study was undertaken with a focus group methodology including 27 couples of husbands and wives recruited by convenience-sampling. Data transcribed from audiotapes was analyzed to identify common themes. Results: Knowledge of breast cancer and BSE included 'the risk factors of breast cancer', 'prevention of breast cancer', and 'how to do BSE'. Facilitators to BSE included 'self, health professional, and spouse-facilitating factors'. Barriers to BSE included 'cognitive, psychological, informational, and physical barriers'. Conclusion: To promote compliance with BSE among women, tailored programs according to the stage of change of BSE adoption are crucial, not only reflecting the specific needs of the individual by the stage of change, but also utilizing husbands as facilitators.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8637-8640
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) among female university students from 24 low, middle income and emerging economy countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 10,810 female undergraduate university students aged 16-30 (mean age 20.7, SD=2.9) from 25 universities in 24 countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas. Overall, 50.4% of the female students indicated that they knew how to conduct BSE. Among all women, 59.3% had never practiced BSE in the past 12 months, 21.3% 1-2 times, 10.3% 3-10 times, and 9.1% monthly. The proportion of monthly BSE was above 20% in Nigeria and Laos and below 2% in Bangladesh, India, Singapore, Russia, and South Africa. Logistic regression found that BSE importance or positive attitude was highly associated with BSE practice. BSE practices were found to be inadequate and efforts should be made to develop programmes that can increase knowledge related to breast cancer as well as the practice of breast self-examination.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.678-695
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices of women toward breast self-examination and to identify factors that may influence compliance with breast examination. The subjects for this study were 282 women in three hospitals located in In-Chun. Data were collected during the period from October 15 to 30, 1993 by means of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the SAS program and include descriptive statistics, 1-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. The results of study are as follows : 1. The mean knowledge score for the total sample was 13.58. Factors affecting the women's knowledge of breast cancer and BSE were : age, level of education, experience with breast cancer patients, experience in learning BSE, information about BSE, self-practice of BSE, level of intention to perform BSE, and participation in a BSE class. 2. Elements related to attitude included : (a) perceived feeling of susceptibility to breast cancer, and (b) belief about the effectiveness of BSE. The mean perceived susceptibility score was 1.62 and the mean effectiveness score was 4.22. Factors affecting the women's perceived susceptibility to breast cancer were exercise for health, level of intention to perform BSE , intention to recommend to others and self-practice of BSE. The relation between the womens' belief about effectiveness of BSE and level of intention to perform BSE and intention to recommend to others were statistically significant. 3. The mean self-practice score for the total sample was 4.01. Factors affecting the women's practice were experience with breast cancer patients, information about BSE, experience in learning BSE, enlisting the help of significant peers, and level of intention to perform BSE. Results indicated 35.8% of the total sample practiced BSE. The most frequent reason women gave for not performing BSE was “Didn’t knew about BSE technique”, “Didn’t think do it”. 4. No relation was found between knowledge and attitudes and practices. 5. When all the variables were examined for their contribution to the variance in the practice of BSE, it was found that confidence in ability to detect a mass by BSE, knowledge about breast cancer and BSE, and experience with breast cancer patients were significant variables and explained 35.8% of the variance. From the results of this study it can be said that women need to be taught proper BSE technique so they can become more proficient in detecting breast abnormalities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7175-7180
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Malaysia, about one in 19 women being at risk. This study aimed to investigate knowledge and practice of breast self-examination (BSE), as well as knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer amongst female adolescents in Malaysia. Subsequently, relationships between demographic characteristics and knowledge level of BSE, risk factors for breast cancer and BSE practice were assessed. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional survey was conducted using a sample of 500 Malaysian adolescents from the age of 15 to 19 years. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of BSE, knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer and BSE practices. Results: The findings of this study indicated that female adolescents in Malaysia demonstrated an inadequate knowledge level of BSE and risk factors for breast cancer. Only 27.8% of female adolescents performed BSE regularly. BSE practice, knowledge of BSE and knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer showed significant positive relationships. Conclusions: The study highlighted the importance of planning and implementing breast health education programs for female students in secondary schools in Malaysia. It will also provide the health care providers an avenue to stress on the importance of imparting breast health education to adolescents.