Breast cancer appears to be a disease of both the developing and developed worlds. Among Turkish women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to determine levels of knowledge about breast cancer and to evaluate health beliefs concerning the model that promotes breast self- examination (BSE) and mammography in a group of women aged 20–64 in a rural area of western Turkey. 244 women were recruited by means of cluster sampling in this study. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic variables, a risk factors and signs of breast cancer form and the adapted version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Bivariate correlation analysis, Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis were performed throughout the data analysis. The mean age of the women was 37.7 ± 13.7. 49.2% of women were primary school graduates, 67.6% were married. Although 76.6% of the women in this study reported that they had heard or read about breast cancer, our study revealed that only 56.1% of them had sufficient knowledge of breast cancer, half of whom had acquired the information from health professionals. Level of breast cancer knowledge was the only variable significantly associated with the BSE and mammography practice (p = 0.011, p = 0.007). BSE performers among the study group were more likely to be women who exhibited higher confidence and perceived greater benefits from BSE practice, and those who perceived fewer barriers to BSE performance and possessed knowledge of breast cancer. By using the CHBMS constructs for assessment, primary health care providers can more easily understand the beliefs that influence women's BSE and mammography practice.

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The knowledge and attitudes of breast self-examination and mammography in a group of women in a rural area in western Turkey.

Factors influencing the wearing of facemasks to prevent the severe acute respiratory syndrome among adult Chinese in Hong Kong.

Factors associated with breast cancer screening behaviours in a sample of Turkish women: A questionnaire survey

Mammographic screening and mortality from breast cancer: The Malmo mammographic screening trial

Objectives: To examine the relationship between health beliefs and participation in breast cancer screening among Arab women in Israel. Methods: A random sample of 568 Arab women, aged 20–60, belonging to three religious groups, Muslim, Christian, and Druze, was recruited. Participants answered a telephone questionnaire regarding attendance for mammography screening and clinical breast examination (CBE) and health beliefs. Results: Christian women had undergone more mammography screening and CBE than Druze and Muslim women. They perceived more benefits and fewer barriers to screening practices and had greater perception of the severity of breast cancer. Perception of susceptibility was similar across groups. The barriers that were significant for the Druze and Muslim women were feelings of discomfort and embarrassment, the belief that there was no cure in the case of a positive finding, perceiving mammography as hazardous to health, and perceiving CBE as painful. Logistic regression revealed that age, gro...

Health beliefs and rates of breast cancer screening among Arab women.

The purpose of this cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive study was to investigate factors and beliefs that may be related to the practice of breast self-examination (BSE) among a group of Jordanian women. The sample consisted of 519 women from two major universities in Jordan. About 36% of the sample were university employees and 64% were graduate and undergraduate students. Stratified random sampling was used to enroll the undergraduate students while graduate students and employees were selected by convenience sampling. The study instrument was an adapted version of Champion's Revised Health Belief Model Scale (CRHBMS). The results were analyzed using a chi-square test and a stepwise multiple regression. The main findings indicate that although the majority of the sample population (67%) had heard/read about BSE, only a quarter of them reported that they had ever practiced BSE in the previous 12 months, and only 7% had performed it on a regular monthly basis. Confidence, motivation, susceptibility, and fewer barriers were variables that showed a positive association with BSE practice in the previous year, while benefits, susceptibility, and motivation influenced the intention to perform BSE in the future. Women's age, level of education, having heard or read about breast tumors, and personal history of breast tumors were also found to be significant predictors of BSE practice.

Wasileh Petro-Nustus

Papers

Factors associated with breast self-examination among jordanian women.