Breast Cancer Awareness among Turkish Nursing Students

Abstract

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±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±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.

The Determination of Knowledge, Applications and Health Beliefs of Third- and Fourth-Grade Nursing Students Regarding Breast Self-Exam

“…Results of some studies about the health belief level for breast cancer in Turkey are similar to the findings of this study (22,29). Our students' obstacles perception scores are low and their self-efficacy perception scores are high when compared to the study by Gerçek et al (30).…”

“…The findings of our study are more positive than the study conducted by Çelik et al (29) in terms of health beliefs. Lavdaniti (32) has reported that the students' perception of obstacles is low and that their perception of seriousness is high.…”

“…In another study, it was reported that there was not a significant difference between the people who have breast cancer and who do not have breast cancer in terms of susceptibility, seriousness, obstacles perception and self-efficacy perception scores. It was reported that there was a significant difference between their scores of health motivation and perception of benefit (29). In the study by Erbil and Bolukbas (22), it was determined that there was a significant difference in the susceptibility sub-dimension of the students who had breast cancer in their family histories.…”

“…Çelik et al (29) reported that there was not a statistical difference between the people who do BSE and who do not do BSE in the scores of susceptibility, seriousness, health motivation sub-dimensions and there was a significant difference between the benefit, obstacles and self-efficacy scores.…”

Effect of a Breast-Self Examination (BSE) Educational Intervention among Female University Students

“…Moreover, a positive family history may influence the knowledge, attitude, and practice of women and young girls regarding breast cancer and related screening. In line with this, (Celik et al, 2014) identified a positive relation between nursing students' awareness of breast cancer and BSE and a positive family history among them. The present study assessed students' knowledge of breast cancer and BSE before implementation of the educational program.…”