A Different Approach to Breast Self-Examination Education

Abstract

Breast cancer is a common cancer among women, and early detection is important for breast cancer mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of daughters teaching their mothers about breast self-examination (BSE) and its health beliefs. In the study's first stage, 168 university students were trained by the School of Health students about BSE through group training methods. Then, these trained university students were asked to train their mothers about BSE. Data were collected before the training and then again after the training (1 month later). The study instruments included questionnaire forms and the Champion Health Belief Model Scale. The results were analyzed using paired- and unpaired-sample t test, analysis of variance, bivariate correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results show that women's knowledge level increased 2-fold after training, and the knowledge level difference between pretraining and post-training was significant (P = .000). The mothers' background information (hear-read) and BSE practice (P = .006 and .006, respectively) before the training process were found to be significant predictors of sociodemographic and other variables influencing the mothers' knowledge levels. The training increased the perceived benefit (P = .032) and confidence (P = .000) significantly. It was found that there was a negative but significant correlation between perceived barriers and BSE knowledge after the education (P = .019). It was found that mothers' knowledge level about BSE was higher after the education. Furthermore, perceived barriers decreased while other subscales increased. Education from daughter to mother can be used as a BSE training approach to increase women's knowledge about BSE.

Impact of health education intervention on breast cancer awareness among rural women of Tamil Nadu

“…In comparison, this finding is not significant with the number of studies from several other countries. [ 6 11 12 ]…”

The Relationship Between Health Belief and Breast Self-examination Among Iranian University Students

“…In a similar vein, some studies have shown that majority of breast tumors are initially detected by patients by touch (17). It should be noted that, based on previous published articles, offering training on breast cancer influences women's health beliefs as well (12,16,18); therefore, it seems that improving students' health beliefs may lead to regular BSE practices.…”

Effect of educational intervention on the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among female students at a private university in Southern Nigeria

“…One’s risk of dying from breast cancer is reduced by routine screening [ 13 ]. Three tools are suggested for BC screening: mammography, clinical breast examinations (CBEs) by a doctor, and breast self-examinations (BSEs) [ 14 ]. Breast self-examination is a quick, easy, private, low-cost, non-invasive process that does not require any specific materials or tools.…”