Investigation of Beliefs and Practices of University Students Regarding Breast Self-Examination

Abstract

Objective: Aim of this study was to investigate university students' knowledge, behaviour and awareness of breast self-examination and health beliefs about early detection of breast cancer. Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 610 university students. Data were collected between November 2022 and April 2023 using “Personal Information Form” and “Champion Breast Cancer Health Belief Model Scale”. Results: Students had knowledge about breast cancer (72.0%), knew how to perform breast self-examination (62.8%) and learnt it from internet (46.9%). Students performed breast self-examination once a month (36.8%) and whenever they remembered (74.2%). The familial risk factors significantly increased the sensitivity levels of students. The region where they came from increased the level of taking the disease seriously (p