Women's Breast Cancer Risk Perception and Attitudes Toward Screening Tests

• Published in: Journal of psychosocial oncology 2010-03, Vol.28 (2), p.189-201
• Main Authors: Yavan, Tülay, Akyüz, Aygül, Tosun, Nuran, İyigÜn, Emine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Attitudes; Breast Cancer; Breast Neoplasms - prevention & control; breast self-examination; Breast Self-Examination - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnosis; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; India; Mammography; Mass Screening - psychology; Medical screening; Middle Aged; Oncology; perceived risk of breast cancer; Physical examinations; Risk; screening tests; Tests; Turkey; Womens health
• ISSN: 0734-7332; 1540-7586
• DOI: 10.1080/07347330903570453

This study's objective is to identify women's breast cancer risk perceptions and their attitudes and knowledge on screening tests. The cross-sectional research. Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. The population of 188 females who applied for gynecological examination. The study employed a semistructured questionnaire form. Questions such as female's demographic data, attitudes based on screening tests of breast cancer, family history, perceived risk breast cancer, and questions with regard to patients' fear of breast cancer were included in the survey. In this study, it is determined that the rates of the women, who conduct breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography at least once, are very low. The reason for not performing the BSE was declared with a rate of 50.8% as "Do not know how to perform." Of the women 20.2% were fully acknowledged about BSE. Nearly half of the women perceived 50% or more risk of developing breast cancer, and this rate increases as they get older. The risk perception and educational status increased CBE and mammography rates and BSE knowledge positively, but because of insufficient BSE application abilities BSE rate cannot increase as expected. It is recommended that nurses put forward the initiatives in training programs to increase women's BSE abilities. In planning such an education program risk perception and information of women about breast cancer should be considered.