Determination of Knowledge and Behavior of Women Working at a Hospital on Breast Cancer Early Detection Methods, and Investigation of Efficiency of Planned Education

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate knowledge and attitude of women working in the hospital on breast cancer, their behaviors related to early diagnostic methods, and to determine the effectiveness of training in order to increase awareness on breast cancer. Materials and Methods:The study group consisted of women working in the Dokuz Eylül University Hospital. The data of this cross-sectional study were collected by a questionnaire. Within the scope of this study, a training program on breast cancer was organized. The effectiveness of this training was evaluated by a preliminary survey and a final survey. Data were expressed as number and percentage, and paired t test and chi-square test were used for comparison.Results: 161 women participated in the study with a mean age of 35 ± 8. It was determined that 81.4% of women knew early diagnosis and screening methods for breast cancer. 49.1% of women stated that they perform breast self-examination, but only 6.2% practiced it once a month. 32.9% of women had clinical breast examination, 22.4% had a breast ultrasound, and 22.3% had mammography. Most of the women did not perform any of these methods. The average knowledge level of women was significantly increased after completion of the planned training as compared to pre-training levels (p <0.001). Conclusion:It was determined that the majority of women were informed on breast cancer early diagnosis and screening methods, but did not practice these methods on themselves. Information and awareness of women against breast cancer have increased with the use of planned training programs on breast cancer, early detection and screening methods.

Application of the Champion Health Belief Model to determine beliefs and behaviors of Turkish women academicians regarding breast cancer screening: A cross sectional descriptive study

“…This study found, like previous studies, that female academicians who do BSE have lower perceived barriers [11–14]. Turkish academicians had less perceived barriers and higher self-efficacy levels [13].…”

“…The percentage of academicians in this study who perform monthly BSE (41.5%) was much higher than the previous Turkish studies conducted with academicians [11–14]. Yılmaz et al (2011) found that female academicians did the recommended BC screening tests such as BSE, CBE and mammography more than housewives [14].…”

“…Regular BSE ranged for Nigerian women to 54.8% [25] for Indian women to 26% [26] for Iranian women to 14.9% and overall 10.6% of women aged 21–53 years had received mammogram [27], while this percentage was much higher than the mammography practice of 51.5% in our study. Whereas, studies conducted in similar populations, the rate of undergoing mammography ranged from 5.1 to 25% [5, 9, 11–14].…”

“…New policies regarding BC are constantly being developed in Turkey, which is also considered as a developing country. Thus, one of the goals of the Turkey Cancer Control Plan 2013–2018 is to increase BSE and mammography in asymptomatic women for early diagnosis [11].…”

Factors Influencing Regular Mammography Screening Participation in a Sample of Turkish Women: Cross-Sectional Study

“…It was emphasized in a study that the women having a history of BC in their family had mammography screening 1.98 times (95% CI: 1.20-3.25) more regularly than those not having a history of BC in their family, and the women being detected with a suspicious formation in the mammography had mammography screening 1,47 times 95% CI: 1-2.16) more regularly than those not being detected with a suspicious formation in the mammography [6]. It was also determined in other studies that the women having a history of BC in their family and/or having abnormal mammography findings had mammography screening more regularly [38]. Our findings are compatible with these results.…”