J Korean Community Nurs.  2004 Mar;15(1):155-164.

Factors Affecting Early Detection Behaviors of Breast Cancer

• Kim YI
• Lee CH
• Yang SH
• Jung HS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting early detection behaviors of breast cancer such as breast self examination(BSE), breast physical examination, mammography. METHOD: The subjects were 141 women on an island and materials were collected through an organized questionnaire from March, to August 2002. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, x2-test, and logistic analysis by SAS program.
RESULTS
52.7% of the subjects performed breast self examination, 67.2% did breast physical examination and 67.7% did mammography. That is, about 60% of the subjects performed early detection behavior to find the breast cancer. Practice of breast self examination was significantly correlated with experience of physician examination and mammography. The most significant factor on BSE was a normal salted diet, and the most significant factor on physical examination and mammography was the high education level of subjects.
CONCLUSIONS
According to the results of this study, it suggests that intensive education and information strategies for breast cancer early detection need to be developed. In particular, early detection programs for lower educated women should be activated.

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms*
Breast Self-Examination
Diet
Education
Female
Humans
Mammography
Physical Examination
Surveys and Questionnaires