Factors related to practice of breast self-examination in rural women

The purpose of this study was to examine variables related to breast self-examination (BSE) in rural women. The sample of convenience consisted of 347 women who were members of selected county-extension homemaker clubs. Champion's Health Belief Model Scale was used to measure susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, health motivation, sociodemographics, and knowledge variables and frequency of BSE. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the Health Belief Model concepts accounted for 26% of the variance in BSE practice. Women who perceived more benefits of BSE in reducing the severity of breast cancer were more likely to report more frequent BSE. Women who perceived fewer barriers to performing BSE and those who scored high on health motivation were also more likely to report performing monthly BSE. Pearson product-moment correlation indicated a significant positive relationship between the variables of BSE knowledge and BSE practice (r = 0.1216; p = 0.023). The lambda statistics showed weak or no association between the demographic variables of age, race, marital status, religion, education, personal experience with breast disease, and friend's experience with breast disease and BSE practice. These findings suggest that perhaps educational programs emphasizing benefits of BSE may be implemented for women represented in this sample in an attempt to increase the number of women practicing BSE. Assessment of women's perceptions of potential barriers would allow nurses to plan appropriate strategies that could reduce the barriers. Finally, assessment of women's general health practices may identify women motivated toward good health. These women may be likely to complete monthly BSE if encouraged to do so.     

Acculturation and breast self-examination among immigrant Latina women in the USA

This article is an extension of previous work, which identified acculturation as an important variable in predicting breast self-examination (BSE) in this sample of women. Here, acculturation is further examined as an intervening factor in predicting BSE. This paper presents the association between level of acculturation to mainstream culture in the USA and the practice of BSE among a population of low-income immigrant Mexican and Puerto Rican women (n = 111) in an urban area of the Midwest in the USA. The majority of women (84.7%) scored a low level of acculturation and 85% did not practice correct BSE. The crude odds ratio indicated that Latina women having a high level of acculturation (15.3%) were twice as likely to practice correct BSE than women with low acculturation. We would suggest that a clearer understanding of the variables that define the performance of BSE will assist in enabling nurses globally to incorporate assessments in their practice that will lead to more successful interventions.     

Instructional information and breast self-examination practice

The effects of four interventions on frequency and thoroughness of breast self-examination (BSE) were compared. The interventions provided different types of information, as derived from a self-regulation framework, to promote BSE practice. Women seeking BSE instruction (N = 204) were randomly assigned to interventions. No intervention effects on frequency were observed. However, exam frequency increased from pre- to postintervention and remained constant over 3 and 6 months follow-up. Interaction effects observed on thoroughness suggested that a positive effect of sensory information about the breast was conditional upon having had prior experience with BSE. Implications for research, theory, and practice are drawn.     

Factors related to women's practice of breast self-examination

Factors related to women's practice of breast self-examination (BSE) were studied in a sample of upper-middle-class women attending meetings of voluntary women's groups. Factors found to relate directly to frequency of BSE practice were high perceived benefits of BSE, low perceived barriers to BSE, and high self-concept. Correlations with perceived susceptibility/seriousness of breast cancer, age, perceived level of social support, and social network properties were not significant. A multiple regression analysis was done with BSE frequency as criterion variable: perceived threat (susceptibility/seriousness) and perceived benefits minus perceived barriers were entered hierarchically; age, self-concept, and total social support were entered as a group. Perceived benefits minus barriers was the only significant predictor variable, R2 = .27. These findings underline the importance of assessing detective behaviors such as BSE as potentially different from preventive behaviors.     

Jordanian nurses' knowledge and practice of breast self-examination

Title.  Jordanian nurses' knowledge and practice of breast self-examination.
Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to evaluate the knowledge and practice of Jordanian nurses in relation to breast self-examination.
Background.  Studies have shown that women who have learned about breast self-examination have positive attitudes toward breast cancer and practise breast self-examination more frequently, and that nurses who teach their clients about methods of early detection and breast self-examination are more knowledgeable about breast cancer screening and breast self-examination techniques than those who do not. Therefore, it is important to understand nurses' knowledge about breast cancer and its early detection.
Methods.  A cross-sectional design was used, with a convenience sample of 347 Registered Nurses at three large cities in Jordan (response rate 95%). Data collection took place in 2005 using a self-administrated questionnaire with three parts and based on the American Cancer Society's guidelines: demographics, knowledge, and practice of breast self-examination.
Results.  Nurses reported high levels of knowledge of breast self-examination (M = 7·6, sd . 2·7). A high proportion of nurses reported doing breast self-examination in the past 12 months (85%), but only 17·7% reported doing so on a monthly basis. None of the demographic characteristics was found to be associated with the practice of breast self-examination.
Conclusion.  More health education about monthly breast self-examination and prevention strategies is needed for nurses and their women patients, especially for Arabic women.     

Ethnic differences in breast self-examination practice and health beliefs

Thirty-two African American nurses (AAN) and 78 Caucasian nurses (CN) were compared on breast self-examination (BSE) practice and health beliefs. Relationships between these variables were also examined. The Health Belief Model provided the framework for the study. The sample is a subset of 269 women from a larger study. AANs were recruited from a professional nurses' group. CNs were recruited from a list of female employees of a university medical centre. The results of t -tests revealed no significant group differences on BSE frequency ( P =0·06) or BSE proficiency ( P =0·10). Noted was that 42% of AANs compared to 20% of CNs examined their breasts 12 or more times during the year. AANs were more likely to consider BSE beneficial ( P =0·002) and to feel confident ( P =0·006) about doing BSE; CNs perceived more barriers ( P =0·001) to BSE. For AANs, BSE frequency and proficiency were positively related to confidence and inversely related to barriers; BSE frequency was also related to health motivation. For CNs, BSE frequency and proficiency were inversely related to seriousness. Implications include additional research to validate findings and to increase the knowledge base of all nurses regarding BSE.     

Predictors of postsurgical subacute emotional and physical well-being among women with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer among women, and surgery is the primary treatment. The subacute phase of care after surgery has a significant impact on quality of life. This article explores the physical and psychological risk profiles of 240 women with early-stage cancer. Although several statistical models were designed for these data, the conclusions are based on the adjusted logistic regression model controlling for presurgical outcomes scores and all other demographics. Findings indicated that the physical risk profile included younger women (<55 years), unmarried, with a caregiver, and a college education. The psychological risk profile includes younger women (<55 years), unmarried, and with annual incomes under $75,000. These profiles will help practitioners anticipate the postsurgical supportive care needs of women with early-stage breast cancer.