The relationship of socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of breast cancer on stage of behavioral adoption of breast self-examination

An examination of variables associated with breast cancer early detection behaviors of women

Background

Breast cancer is a worldwide common public health problem, and it is quite important to know the factors preventing the early detection behaviors to fight against it.

Objective

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of some sociodemographic variables associated with women's breast cancer detection behaviors and their breast cancer knowledge and fear levels.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted with 363 women aged 40-69 who had presented to Cancer Early Diagnosis and Education Centers (CEDEC).

Results

The average age of women is 54.8±7.1. The mean score of breast cancer knowledge (CBCKT) was found as 10.72±2.34, and the breast cancer fear score was found as 27.6±6.5. The percentage of women who regularly breast self-examination (BSE) was 17.4%, clinical breast examination (CBE) was 13.5% and mammography was 42.7%. BSE and having a higher education correlated 6.25-fold. A 6.5-fold correlation was found between BSE and having a family history of breast cancer, and a 6.24-fold correlation between BSE and having information about breast cancer. In CBE, the related variables that affected women receiving information 4.42 times and going to CEDEC 5.3 times. It was found that employment (4.58) of women affected the mammography detection behavior mostly. While women's CBCKT score affected BSE behavior 1.16 times, fear of breast cancer was a variable that affected mammography behavior 2.1 times. It was determined that high CBCKT scores of women increased BSE behaviors 1.16 times, and high breast cancer fear scores increased mammography behavior 2.1 times.

Conclusions

Early detection practices of women are not sufficient in our study. An increase in the knowledge level of women and consideration of the variables determined to be effective in early detection behaviors will allow increasing detection behavior.

Relationship between demographic factors, health education, breast cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, and breast self-examination behavior among Chinese female college student: A structural equation analysis

AIMS

This study aimed to create a structural equation model to evaluate the associations among demographic factors, health education, breast cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, and breast self-examination behavior among Chinese female college students.

METHODS

A survey was undertaken using a self-administered questionnaire and targeting 2233 students from Eastern China. Structural equation modeling with the bootstrap approach was utilized to estimate the interrelationships and the strength of the associations among measured variables based on the hypothetical model.

RESULTS

Among the total participants, 14.7% of the female college students reported having performed breast self-examination. The final structural equation model showed highly satisfactory fitness on indices. Breast self-examination behavior was significantly linked to demographic factors, breast cancer related-knowledge, attitudes, and health education. Health education had the greatest influence on breast self-examination behavior. In addition, breast cancer related-knowledge was significantly associated with demographic factors and health education. Health education and knowledge all significantly affected attitudes towards breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Breast self-examination behavior was influenced by demographic factors, breast cancer related-knowledge, attitudes towards breast cancer, and health education in a sample of female college students in China. Health education was the most important predictor of breast self-examination behavior.

A path analytic model of health beliefs on the behavioral adoption of breast self-examination

BACKGROUND

In Malaysia, breast cancer accounted for 34.1% of all female cancer cases with women presenting breast cancer at late stages. Breast cancer has a higher five-year survival rate if detected early. An increase of approximately 30% in the five-year survival rate is indicated if breast cancer is detected at stage III compared to stage IV. Thus, survival rate of breast cancer can be increased by creating awareness and encouraging breast cancer screening amongst women. Breast self-examination (BSE) is highly recommended for breast cancer screening due to its simplicity with no incurred cost. The Health Belief Model is used in this study to explain and predict the adoptive behavior of BSE amongst women in Kuantan, Pahang.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study employed a multi-stage sampling method using a simple proportion formula at 5% type 1 error, p < 0.05 and absolute error at 2% which resulted in a sample of 520 participants. The data for the study was obtained using a validated bilingual self-constructed questionnaire and the model constructed using Mplus software.

RESULTS

Perceived severity, benefits and barriers were found to significantly influence the behavioral adoption of BSE. Married women aged from 45 to 55 years and knowledge were found to significantly moderate the relationship between perceived benefits and behavioral adoption of BSE. Further, self-efficacy was found as the core construct that mediates the relationship between married women aged 45 to 55 years and the behavioral adoption of BSE.

CONCLUSION

Self-efficacy is found in the study to influence the behavioral adoption of BSE. This is undeniable as self-efficacy can promote confidence in initiating and maintenance of behavioral change if the perceived change is beneficial at an acceptable cost.