Objective The aim of this study was to develop a measurement instrument for assessing knowledge of breast cancer and perceived risk of developing the disease (MARA). Methods 641 women with a mean age of 36.19 years (SD = 7.49) participated in the study. Data collection took place during 2019 and included sociodemographic data, data on history of cancer and breast cancer, perceived risk, and feelings of concern about developing breast cancer. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and structural validity were tested. Results The questionnaire items comprise 4 subscales: risk factors (9 items), signs and symptoms (9 items), perceived risk (6 items), barriers (7 items). A factor analysis revealed that the first two subscales had two dimensions each, whereas the other two subscales had one dimension each. Each subscale was shown to have adequate reliability (α = 0.74–0.92) and temporal stability (r = 0.201–0.906), as well as strong evidence of validity in relation to a questionnaire on breast cancer knowledge (r = 0.131–0.434). In addition, the subscales were shown to have high discriminatory power in terms of the presence or absence of a history of cancer or breast cancer, perceived risk, and feelings of concern. Conclusion The MARA questionnaire represents a valid, reliable tool for assessing Spanish women’s knowledge, risks, perceptions, and barriers regarding breast cancer.

Background: many apps are directly related to health issues. Recent studies show that apps are widely accepted by the population and contribute to the modernization of the healthcare system. However, before recommendation, their contents and quality should be assessed, as well as the behavioral change techniques they include. In Spain, no study has been found to determine which apps are aimed at addressing any aspect of breast cancer. The objective of this study was to identify and describe the contents and analyze the quality and behavior change strategies of the free applications available in the online stores of Android and Apple whose main purpose is related to some aspect of breast cancer. Methods: Searches were conducted in the Apple App and Google Play stores in Spain, between October 2018 and February 2019, using an Apple iPad Pro and a Samsung Galaxy Tab A6. The Spanish search terms used were: "cáncer de mama" [breast cancer], "cáncer de pecho" [breast cancer], "cáncer de seno" [breast cancer], "tumor de mama" [breast tumor], "tumor de pecho" [breast tumor], "tumor de seno" [breast tumor], "neoplasia de mama" [breast neoplasm], "neoplasia de pecho" [breast neoplasm], and "neoplasia de seno" [breast neoplasm]. After screening, contents related to breast cancer, quality, and behavioral change were assessed.Results: The contents of the 6 selected apps were related to breast self-examination and to the signs and symptoms that may warn the woman of the presence of a breast tumor. The MARS objective and subjective quality scores were 4.11 (SD =0.59) and 3.07 (SD =0.91), respectively. The mean number of BCTs included in the apps was 2.83 (SD =3.040). The app with the highest number of BCTs was APP1, with a total of 9 techniques.Conclusions: Few free apps are specifically designed for breast cancer in Spanish. Their content and quality, as well as the number of BCTs they include, should be improved.

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of an educational intervention using a web-app to improve knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and symptoms and adherence to healthy eating and physical activity among women without breast cancer diagnosis in Asturias (Spain). Methods A pragmatic randomized pilot trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of a web-app-based intervention for women without breast cancer diagnosis. Women in the intervention group participated in a 6-month intervention web-app based on the Behaviour Change Wheel Model. The web-app includes information about breast cancer risk factors, early detection, physical activity and diet. Results Two hundred and eighty-fifth women aged 25–50 were invited to join the study. Two hundred and twenty-four were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (IG = 134) or control group (CG = 90) according to their place of residence. Adherence among women in the IG increased significantly from pre- to post-intervention for eight of the 12 healthy behaviors and for the identification of six risk factors and six symptoms compared to women in the CG and, among whom adherence only increased for two behaviors, the identification of one risk factor and 0 symptoms. The intervention significantly improved the mean number of risk factors + 1.06 (p < 0.001) and symptoms + 1.18 (p < 0.001) identified by women in the IG. Conclusions The preliminary results of this study suggest that an educational intervention using a web-app and based on the Behaviour Change Wheel model could be useful to improve knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and symptoms and to improve adherence to a healthy diet and physical activity in women without a previous breast cancer diagnosis.