Barriers to breast self-examination among Iranian women

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a very common cancer in women which is diagnosable using inexpensive, accessible, and easy screening programs in the early stages of the disease. Culture, beliefs, and opinions of women affect adoption of screening techniques. Nursing professionals are supposed to be aware of such influencing factors. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate barriers to breast self-examination (BSE) among women in Isfahan province. Materials and Methods: During a cross-sectional descriptive and correlational study in 2017, 1509 women in rural and urban areas of Isfahan province were selected using multistage sampling method. Data were collected by visiting homes, using a questionnaire, and conducting interviews and were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The results showed that barriers consisted of lack of awareness about breast examination ( p = 0.006), lack of awareness about BSE techniques ( p < 0.001), and lack of training by personnel of healthcare centers ( p = 0.016), which were significantly associated with residency areas (i.e., urban and rural areas). Moreover, women's educational level was significantly associated with 5 of 10 barriers and their occupation was significantly associated with 2 of 10 barriers to BSE. Conclusions: Among the several factors that may affect BSE, a part of them in Isfahan women act as obstacle that they are moderated by some demographic factors such as residency areas, education level, and occupation. Therefore, nursing plans and interventions aimed at developing BSE should be tailored to suit the unique demographic characteristics of women.

Assessment of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among reproductive age women in Akatsi South district of Volta region of Ghana

“…For example, in a survey of 790 female household representatives in Southwest Cameroon, only 25% demonstrated adequate knowledge of BSE and only 15% of those with knowledge reported practicing BSE [17]. Lack of awareness of and lack of skill were among reasons BSE were not practiced among Iranian women [18]. In a similar study in Nigeria, researchers reported that while 97.3% of the participants had heard of BSE, only about 50% reported some knowledge of BSE and only 14.5% practiced BSE regularly [19].…”

A Qualitative Focus Group Study for the Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Informal Caregivers Toward Breast Cancer: Perceptions of Informal Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals in Three European Countries

“…This appears to be a consistent finding in the relevant literature, with preceding studies, revealing that most women were unaware of how to perform BSE, stressing the existence of a gap concerning education and promotion of BSE among women. 2 , 3 , 48 ‐ 50 …”

“…This appears to be a consistent finding in the relevant literature, with preceding studies, revealing that most women were unaware of how to perform BSE, stressing the existence of a gap concerning education and promotion of BSE among women. 2,3,[48][49][50] There appears to be a consensus among ICGs and HCPs that participated in this study. For example, both groups argued that barriers for ICGs on performing BSE included the lack of time due to their caregiving role and of confidence and technique familiarity.…”

Design, implementation and Evaluation of Self-Care Program in the Prevention of Breast Cancer Among Women in Isfahan: A Community-Based Participatory Action Research Protocol

“…Therefore, in educating women, they should be sensitized about the risk of breast cancer and the norms of that society about self-care behaviors should be examined [17]. In Iranian society, fear of cancer diagnosis [18]., lack of trust in health team members, lack of independence in decision-making among women, fatefulness, lack of women's empowerment [19]., and personality traits (not paying attention to one's health and prioritizing family, as well as emotional responses such as the con icting effects of fear and shame) are the most important obstacles to women's participation in self-care programs [20,21]. In order to remove these obstacles, the design of prevention programs according to the economic, social and cultural conditions of the Iranian society seems to be necessary.…”