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.     

Teaching employees breast self examination. Factors that may influence practice

Breast self examination is a widely known technique used for detection of breast lumps. Many women do not practice monthly breast self examination, although it has been proven that with early detection the prognosis of breast cancer can be improved greatly. When tend to be taught, or learn about, breast self examination at an early age. The educational techniques used during the instruction can influence the practice of BSE later on. Health professionals can make a difference in the practice of BSE by communicating the value of this detection technique. BSE is a viable breast cancer detection technique that employees can be taught easily in employee wellness programs by health professionals.     

Predictors of breast self-examination practice among elderly women

The purpose of the study presented in this article was to examine predictors of breast self-examination (BSE) practice among elderly female subjects in selected senior citizen centers. The health belief model served as the theoretical framework for the research study. Both the frequency of BSE performance and the technique subjects used to examine their breasts were measured by a questionnaire. Subjects who perceived few barriers to BSE had higher BSE technique scores. The findings also indicated that receiving instruction through a class on BSE was related to improved BSE technique. Perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and perceived benefits of BSE were not found to be significantly predictive of BSE practice.     

Factors involved in nurses' teaching breast self-examination

It has been demonstrated that breast self-examination (BSE) is a reliable method for early detection of breast abnormalities when practiced regularly and correctly. In addition, it has been found that a woman is likely to be more proficient if she has been taught BSE by a physician or nurse. In a hospital-based study, nurses were surveyed regarding both their personal practice and their teaching of BSE to patients. Although the nurses revealed themselves to be highly compliant in terms of performing the procedure themselves, only 40% included BSE in their patient teaching. The nurses' teaching of BSE was found to be unrelated to their age, BSE practice, or personal risk for breast cancer. Nurses agreed that BSE was a valuable tool in the prevention of deaths from breast cancer. They also believed themselves to be susceptible to breast cancer despite good health and low-to-medium risk sources. We suggest that nurses' ambivalent attitudes towards breast cancer and BSE may influence their teaching behavior.     

Relationship of self-concept, health locus of control, and perceived cancer treatment options to the practice of breast self-examination

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent forms of cancer for women in the United States. Recognition of the fact that no more than 40% of women practice breast self-exam (BSE) is of major concern in that BSE has been identified as one method of early detection. The factors that encourage or discourage women to perform BSE need to be identified. The current study investigated the relationships between women's practice of BSE, self-concept, locus of control, and knowledge of treatment options for breast cancer. One mammogram screening center provided the 235 subjects who completed the questionnaires. Subjects who practiced BSE more frequently had a slightly higher self-concept score and were more aware of breast cancer treatment options (r = 0.16, p less than 0.05). Weak correlations were found between chance locus of control and BSE frequency of practice (r = 0.22, p less than 0.05). The majority of subjects reported irregular BSE practice, both as to whether they practiced BSE on a monthly basis and as to the time of the month for BSE.     

Preventive health

This study examines the introduction of a program by the clinical nurse consultant to have nursing staff teach all women who agreed to do BSE during their admission to a gynaecological ward within a major teaching hospital. A questionnaire was distributed initially to gauge the women's interest in being taught BSE. When this showed almost unanimous support, a program was set up. Several months after the introduction of BSE teaching, a further questionnaire was distributed to gauge the effectiveness of the teaching program and to pinpoint any problem areas. The results were positive, and the program has now become part of the nurses' every day routine.     

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.     

Effectiveness of breast self-examination nursing interventions for Taiwanese community target groups

BACKGROUND: Because of the increasing morbidity and mortality from breast cancer, the Health Department in Taiwan in 1992 has identified early detection of breast cancer as one of the national health objectives. The effectiveness of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) in detecting breast cancer depends not only on frequency, but also on accuracy. This study explored the effects of nursing intervention on the BSE intention, BSE frequency and BSE accuracy among beauticians as community target groups. DESIGN: This study was comprised of two stages. In the first stage, 198 beauticians in Taipei County were surveyed. Those women with perceived barrier scores > or =15 points in the first stage were selected for the second stage with the quasi-experimental design. The experimental group was provided with BSE instruction for the enhancement of BSE competence, personalized strategies to reduce barriers to BSE and monthly telephone reminders after BSE instruction class for 3 months. The study instruments were Champion's BSE questionnaire, Lashley's 15 BSE steps and BSE items of social norm referenced Lierman et al. RESULTS: The mean age of the 198 beauticians was 28 (+/-8.6), the mean year of education was 10 (+/-2.4) and 60% of participants were married. The results of the study indicate that the program significantly increased BSE frequency, BSE accuracy, perceived benefit of BSE, perceived competence in BSE and decreased perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and perceived barriers to practice BSE. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the perceived competency, susceptibility and social normative influence accounted for 25% of the variance in BSE intention. Perceived competency and social normative influence accounted for 15% of the variance in BSE frequency, while intention, social normative influence and perceived competency accounted for 21% of the variance in BSE accuracy.     

Effects of a Cognition-Oriented Breast Self-Examination Intervention for Korean Women and Their Spouses

ABSTRACT Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a cognition-oriented breast self-examination (BSE) intervention program that is based on the Transtheoretical Model and reflects individual characteristics according to BSE stage among Korean women and their spouses.
Design: A time-series nonequivalent control group design was used.
Sample and Measurement: Twenty-four couples in each of 2 groups completed a preintervention test and were evaluated 1, 3, and 6 months later for their knowledge of breast cancer and BSE, spousal encouragement for BSE, perceived confidence in BSE methods, change in BSE stage, and perceived benefits and barriers to BSE. The intervention involved husbands as well as women, and consisted of lectures on breast cancer and BSE, demonstrations and practice with models while being videotaped, and feedback.
Results: There were significant differences between the control and experimental groups for all variables. Change of BSE stage in experimental group showed significantly advancement over time.
Conclusions: This intervention program was effective in promoting regular BSE practice and in enhancing confidence in BSE. The intervention also raised awareness among husbands of the importance of breast health for their wives. Educational interventions for breast cancer prevention should be specified to an individual's stage of BSE.     

An evaluation of comparative strategies for teaching breast self-examination

This study compared the effects of three alternative methods of breast self-examination (BSE) instruction (booklet, film and group discussion, individual teaching) on nurses' personal BSE practice A pre-test and follow-up questionnaire were administered to a convenience sample of 166 nurses from Western Australian hospitals The results demonstrated that each method of BSE instruction produced a significant improvement in the technique of BSE ( P < 0 0001) However, the nurses involved in the film and discussion had the greatest improvement in BSE proficiency Findings were analysed in terms of the Health Belief Model The variables 'barriers to action' and 'perceived susceptibility'(in this case, to breast cancer) were found to be predictive of BSE practice,'perceived barriers' at pre-test and 'perceived susceptibility' at follow-up The incidence of BSE was significantly higher in the older nurses A reminder to practice BSE was significantly associated with an effective BSE technique Implications for nursing practice are discussed     

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.     

Evaluation of a Danish teaching program in breast self-examination

This study investigated the effect of a BSE training program on women's knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding BSE. Postal questionnaires were sent to 629 women who had participated in 1998-2000 in the BSE training program run by Ribe County, Denmark, and to a local matched control group of the same size selected through personal registration numbers. Response rates were 77% and 56%, respectively. A significantly greater number of women who had attended BSE training reported that they knew how and when to do BSE, and what they should do if they discovered breast changes (97% compared to 66% in control group). Similar proportions in each group felt confident of finding any breast changes (57%) and believed that routine BSE can influence the chances of recovery from breast cancer (90%). There were also no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in the reporting of anxiety as a result of performing BSE (24% and 17%, respectively). The intervention group was significantly more likely to perform BSE regularly (66% compared to 52% in control group) and to use a more correct technique (44% compared to 20% in control group). It was concluded that a formal training program increases the likelihood of regular BSE performance with a correct technique.     

Nurses as Agents for Change in Teaching Breast Self-examination

The purpose of this quasi experimental, one-group pretest-post-test study was to determine the role of the nurses as agents for change in teaching breast self-examination (BSE) to healthy women in the community. The goals were to promote women's factual and proficiency knowledge in the areas of (1) signs and symptoms of breast cancer, (2) proper steps of BSE, and (3) frequency of BSE. Data were collected over four years in a large university teaching hospital. The sample was made up of 223 women. Teaching was provided by nurse clinicians. A 21-item written questionnaire was administered to all subjects three times: before BSE education session (treatment), immediately after education, and six months later. The questionnaire included four subscales: demographics, factual knowledge regarding signs and symptoms of breast cancer, proficiency of BSE practice, and frequency of BSE. Findings indicated that nurses influence positively the factual and proficiency knowledge base of clients and the frequency of BSE practice. Based on these findings and those of previous studies, the authors believe that nurses can be agents for change in promoting BSE.     

任务驱动教学法在高职高专运动治疗技术课程教学中的应用

目的探讨任务驱动教学法在高职高专运动治疗技术课程教学中的应用效果。方法将2006级康复班40名学生作为对照组,2007级康复班35名学生作为实验组。对照组采用传统教学法授课,实验组以任务驱动教学法为主、传统教学法为辅授课。结果课程结束后,实验组理论及实践技能考核成绩明显优于对照组（均P<0.01）;实验组85.71%～94.28%的学生认为任务驱动教学法既能够提高自身综合素质及操作技能,又有利于提高学习兴趣和学习能力。结论任务驱动教学法可提高运动治疗技术的教学效果,并得到了大多数学生的认可。     

The effect of training on the knowledge levels and beliefs regarding breast self-examination on women attending a public education centre.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of subject training on the level of knowledge about breast self-examination (BSE) and breast cancer in women attending a public education centre. This research was structured according to pre-test-post test, one group research design principles. The study involved 91 course attendees at the Erzincan Public Education Centre (73.4%). The average age of study subjects was 21.4+/-5.4. Of the 91 participants in the study, 3.3% (n=3) had a family history of breast cancer and 5.5% (n=5) have had a lump in their breasts. In pre-test questions, the rate of correct answers was between 13.2% and 68.1%. After training, the rate of correct answers increased to between 79.1% and 96.7% and attendees demonstrated an increase in the accuracy of their beliefs about breast cancer (health risk, susceptibility). The perception of self-efficacy, an important variable in the process of behaviour change, is a necessary component of changing and maintaining the practice of BSE. The results of this work and others demonstrate that education administered by nurses can increase positive perceptions about BSE self-efficacy. Education in BSE is easily administered, requires no special tools, could lead to early diagnosis of breast cancer if performed regularly and should be taught to all women aged 20 years and above.