• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.381-394
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• 1997

This study was conducted to investigate breast self examination ( = BSE) - related knowledge, attitudes and practice of junior nursing college students in Kwangju. Chonnam province. The subjects were 161 nursing students in 3 junior nursing colleges among 10 colleges in K city and Chonnam province. The data was collected from Nov. 16, 1997 to Dec. 16, 1997 and analyzed by an SAS program for t or F test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results were as follows: 1. The mean score of BSE - related knowledge was 18.2, that of BSE-related attitudes was 29.1 and that of BSE-related practice was 3.1. 2. The first advantage of BSE-related practice was the early detection of breast cancer. Reasons for not practicing BSE were difficulty in practicing(33%), and indifference to practicing(29%) in that order. 3. In the relationship between BSE-related characteristics and the scores of BSE-related knowledge, groups having breast cancer history in relatives or neighbors tended to have higher scores than groups not having them significantly(t=2.07, p=0.042). In the relationship between BSE-related characteristics and the scores of BSE-related attitudes, groups practicing BSE(t=1.67, p<0.10) and groups not receiving breast examinations from doctors(t=-1.83, p<0.10) tended to have significantly higher scores than those of others. In the relationship between BSE-related characterestics and the scores of BSE-related practice, the group having a breast cancer history in relatives or neighbors tended to have significantly higher scores than those of others(t=2.05, p=0.04). 4. In the correlation among the scores of BSE-related knowledge, attitude and practice, there was slight or little correlation between the score of BSE-related knowledge and that of BSE-related attitude(r=0.30) ; as well as between attitude and practice (r=0.18).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4427-4432
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• 2016

Background: Fear and fatalism have been proposed as factors affecting breast cancer screening, but the evidence is not strong. This study aimed to determine relationships of fear and fatalism with breast cancer screening behavior among Tabriz women in Iran. Materials and Methods: In a cross- sectional study, 370 women referred to 12 health centers in Tabriz were selected with two-stage cluster sampling and data regarding breast cancer screening, fatalism and fear of breast cancer were collected respectively with a checklist for screening performance, Champions Fear and Pow Fatalism Questionnaires. Data were analyzed by logistic regression with SPSS software version 16. Results: Only 43% and 23% of participants had undergone breast self- examination and clinical breast examination. Among women older than 40 years, 38.2% had mammography history and only 2.7% of them had done it annually. Although fatalism and fear had a stimulating effects on breast cancer screening performance th relationships were not significant (P>0.05). There was a negative significant correlation between fear and fatalism (r= -0.24, p=0.000). On logistic regression analysis, age (OR=1.037, p<0.01) and income status (OR= 0.411, p<0.05) significantly explained BSE and age (OR=1.051, p<0.01) and body mass index (OR= 0.879, p<0.01) explained CBE. Also BMI (OR= 0.074, p<0.05) and income status (OR=0.155, p<0.01) was significantly effective for mammography following. Conclusions: Breast cancer screening behavior is inappropriate and affected by family livelihood status and lifestyle leads to weight gain, so that for promoting of screening behaviors, economic support to families, lifestyle modification and public education are suggested.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6307-6313
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and awareness of women in Kuwait with regard to risk factors, symptoms and diagnostic procedures of breast cancer. A total of 521 questionnaires were distributed among women in Kuwait. Results showed that 72% of respondents linked breast cancer factors to family history, while 69.7% scored abnormal breast enlargement as the most detectable symptom of the disease. Some 84% of participants had heard about self-examination, but knowledge about mammograms was limited to 48.6% and only 22.2% were familiar with diagnostic procedures. Some 22.9% of respondents identified the age over 40 years as the reasonable age to start mammogram screening. Risk factor awareness was independent on age groups (p>0.05), but both high education and family history increased the likelihood of postivie answers; the majority knew about a few factors such as aging, pregnancy after age 30, breast feeding for short time, menopause after age of 50, early puberty, and poor personal hygiene. In conclusion, 43.1% of participants had an overall good knowledge of breast cancer with regards to symptoms, risk factors and breast examination. Very highly significant associations (p<0.005) were evident for all groups except for respondents distributed by nationality (p=0.444). Early campaigns for screening the breast should be recommended to eliminate the confusion of wrong perceptions about malignant mammary disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5023-5029
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• 2013

Background: To evaluate knowledge about screening tests and tests without proven screening value in a Greek Breast Unit population undergoing benign vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB). Materials and Methods: This study included 81 patients. Three knowledge-oriented items (recommended or not, screening frequency, age of onset) were assessed. Regarding screening tests two levels of knowledge were evaluated: i). crude knowledge (CK), i.e. knowledge that the test is recommended and ii). advanced knowledge (AK), i.e. correct response to all three knowledge-oriented items. Solely CK was evaluated for tests without proven screening value. Risk factors for lack of knowledge were assessed with multivariate logistic regression. A second questionnaire was administered 18 months after VABB to assess its impact on the performance of tests. Results: Concerning screening tests considerable lack of AK was noted (mammogram, 60.5%; Pap smear, 59.3%; fecal occult blood testing, 93.8%; sigmoidoscopy, 95.1%). Similarly lack of CK was documented regarding tests without proven screening value (breast self-examination, 92.6%; breast MRI, 60.5%; abdominal ultrasound, 71.6%; barium meal, 48.1%; urine analysis, 90.1%; chest X-Ray, 69.1%; electrocardiogram, 74.1%; cardiac ultrasound, 75.3%). Risk factors for lack of AK were: place of residence (mammogram), age (Pap smear), personal income (sigmoidoscopy); risk factors for lack of CK included number of offspring (breast MRI, chest X-Ray), BMI (abdominal ultrasound), marital status (urine analysis), current smoking status (electrocardiogram). VABB's only effect was improvement in mammogram rates. Conclusions: A considerable lack of knowledge concerning screening tests and misperceptions regarding those without proven value was documented.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6857-6862
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. All ages are susceptible and more than 90% of the patients can be cured with early diagnosis. Breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography can be useful for this aim. In this study we examined the components of the Champion health belief model to identify if they could predict the intentions of women to perform such screening. Materials and Methods: A total of 380 women aged 30 and above who had referred to health-care centers were assessed for use of breast cancer screening over the past year with a modified health belief model questionnaire. Logistic regression was applied to identify leading independent predictors. Results: In this study 27% of the women performed BSE in the last year but only 6.8% of them used mammography as a way of screening. There were significant differences regarding all components of the model except for perceived severity between women that underwent BSE. over the past year and those that did not. Findings were similar for mammography. Regression analysis revealed that intentions to perform BSE were predicted by perceived self-efficacy and perceived barriers to BSE while intentions to perform mammography were predicted by perceived barriers. Conclusions: This study indicated that self-efficacy can support performance of BSE while perceived barriers are important for not performing both BSE and mammography. Thus we must educate women to increase their self-efficacy and decrease their perceived barriers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 1976

This study was carried out to collect basic information on the knowledge and attributes and behavior related to the prevention of breast cancer of a Sample Seoul women. Similar studies had dealt with samples of tumor clinic patients and their families and with non-professional hospital welters. The sample for this study was drawn by women out patients from eight centrally located general hospitals, in Seoul where the number of annual out patients exceeded 100,000, and the number of beds exceeded 100. The interview schedule consisted 33 questions related to knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to prevention of breast cancer. It was modified from the previous on cancer studies. The investigator interviewed 665 women over 20 years of age, from those who visited these eight hospitals from 24, June to 20, August 1975. More than half of the respondents were housewives and primarily in the 20 to 29 ages group. They had a mean level of 3.562 pregnancies and 1,986 children. 33.4% were high-school graduates, 32.2% had a monthly family income in the 50,000 to 100,000 won range. 75% of the respondents had heard about breast cancer through mass media or personal media, but the majority of respondents did not have an accurate understanding of it. This varied according to educational, economical income and occupations. The primary reason given for maintaining distance from a patient with breast cancer was not because of cancer but simply because person was a patient. 74.7% of the respondents thought that early cancer of the breast could be cured with early treatment. Only 5.3% of the respondents had ever had a physical examination and only 6.3% practised self examination of the breast.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3927-3930
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• 2012

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and the leading cause of death from cancer among women. Evidence suggests that early diagnosis and screening interventions might help to improve outcomes. This population-based study was conducted to determine breast cancer awareness and screening behavior among Iranian women and to examine its association with women's literacy. The study was carried out in two provinces, with 1,477,045 population, located in central and eastern part of Iran. Overall, 770 women were studied. Of these, 482 (62.7%) were literate and 287 (37.3%) were not. The results obtained from the data analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between literate and illiterate women. Further analysis of the data using logistic regression showed that literacy was an important contributing factor for breast cancer prevention behavior. The findings suggest that in order to improve women's health and breast cancer outcomes providing equal educational opportunities for women seems necessary.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10749-10755
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• 2015

Background: In both developed and developing countries; breast cancer is the major cancer observed in women. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nursing and mammographic intervention on women with breast cancer between the ages of 50 and 70. Materials and Methods: A training program, which was quasi-experimental and had a pretest-protest design, was applied in Kemalpaaa district of Izmir, between October 2008 and August 2010. The target population was women between the ages of 50 and 70, who were registered in the list of 3rd Family Medicine Unit in Izmir's Kemalpasa metropolis. A total of 106 women who were in conformity with the study criteria participated in the study. Research data were collected through home visits that included face-to-face interviews; Ministry of Health education material and video films were modified and used for the training. Data analysis was performed through 82 women who were paired at the first and the second phase. Results: It was observed that although the rate of breast self examination significantly increased after the training (p=0.022), the rate of clinical breast examination (p=0.122) and mammographic screening (p=0.523) did not. Differences in the stages of change after training were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001) and the group showed a progression in the stages of change in general (46.3%). In women mean scores of breast cancer awareness (p<0.000), severity (p<0.000), health motivation (p<0.000) and perception of the benefits of mammography (p<0.000) increased significantly and mean score of perception of mammography barriers decreased significantly (p<0.000) after the training. Conclusions: After the training on breast cancer and mammography it was determined that nursing interventions provided positive progression of stages of change of women, affected health beliefs positively and significantly increased BSE incidences. However, it did not have a significant effect on CBE and mammographic screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8941-8946
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• 2014

Background: This study conducted to determine breast cancer awareness and influencing factors among nursing students in the West Black Sea Region in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April-May, 2014. The sample was 270 female nursing students. Data were collected by Personal Information Form and Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Results: The students' mean age was $21.6{\pm}2.09$ and 81.1% had knowledge about breast cancer from their academic education. It is found that 63.7% of the students performed Breast Self-Examination (BSE) and 11.1% had a family member diagnosed with breast cancer. The CHBMS mean score of the students was $117.7{\pm}14.5$. Conclusions: Breast cancer awareness of nursing students is on a good level and was affected by family history of breast cancer and health beliefs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8135-8142
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Iranian women and usually features delayed presentation and late diagnosis. Interpretation of symptoms, as the most important step, has a significant impact on patient delay in seeking treatment. There is a dearth of studies on symptom appraisal and the process leading to seeking help in breast cancer patients. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of Iranian women with self-detected possible breast cancer symptoms. Materials and Methods: A qualitative method was conducted involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with 27 Iranian women with self-discovered breast cancer symptoms. Participants were purposefully selected from women who attended Cancer Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences during June 2012 to August 2013. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed and analyzed using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA soft ware version 10. The trustworthiness of the study was verified by prolonged engagement, member validation of codes, and thick description. Results: The main concepts emerging from data analysis were categorized in four categories: symptom recognition, labeling of symptoms, interactive understanding, and confronting the fear of cancer. Symptom recognition through breast self-examination, symptom monitoring and employing prior knowledge distinguished normal from abnormal symptoms and accompanied with perception of being at risk of breast cancer led to symptom labeling. Social interaction by selective disclosure and receiving reassurance from a consultant led to confirmation or redefinition of the situation. Perceived seriousness of the situation and social meanings of breast cancer as a stigmatized and incurable illness associated with loss of femininity were reasons for patient worries and fear. Conclusions: This study emphasized that entangled cognitive, emotional and socio-cultural responses affecting understanding of symptom seriousness require further investigation. It is suggested that programs aimed at shortening patient delay in breast cancer should be focused on improving women's knowledge and self-awareness of breast cancer, in addition to correcting their social beliefs.