• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.281-293
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• 1996

Breast cancer ranks as one of the major health problems of adult women. Studies have shown that Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is effective in detecting breast cancer in its early stages. To motivate women BSE practicing, a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was conducted. Women 40 years or older who participated in the public education program for BSE from March 11 to April 6, 1996, were randomized in an experimental group(N=50) which received a letter about the Breast Cancer Risk Appraisal and in a control group(N=50) which didn't received a letter about the Breast Cancer Risk Appraisal. After 6 months, a follow-up phone survey was taken on all participants to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. Collected data was analyzed by one, two, and three-way ANOVA with an SAS program. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The level of the Breast Cancer Risk Appraisal of the subjects is high risk(17%), moderate risk(12%), boderline risk(14%), no increased risk (57%). 2. The intervention was effective in increasing the practice scores of BSE for women(F=5.12, P<.05). 3. BSE practice scores according to breast cancer risk appraisal level of the experimental group was not significantly increased after the intervention as contrasted with the control group (F=2.33, P>.05). 4. BSE practice scores according to educational level of the experimental group was significantly increased after the intervention, as contrasted with that of the control group (F=10.09, P<.001) .On the basis of this study it can be concluded that the Breast Cancer Risk Appraisal increases practice of BSE.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.89-101
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• 1997

Breast cancer ranks as one of the major health problems in adult women. The purpose of this study is to determine relationships among the practice of Breast Self-Examination(BSE) and the variables of cancer risk and other genernal factors. This knowledge may be helpful in designing a BSE educational program to promote breast self-examination on a regular basis. The study population included 205 women who live in K city. Personal interviews were conducted to determine the individual's breast self-examination behavior, the level of Breast Cancer Risk according to general factors as well as her reasons for not doing a breast self-examination. The collected data was analyzed with an SAS program The results were summarized as follows : 1. The level of Breast Cancer Risk of the subjects is as follows: high risk(9%), moderate risk(11%), boderline risk(12%), no increased risk (68%). 2. There was no difference in the practice of BSE between women who were at high cancer risk and at no increased cancer risk. 3. BSE practice levels according to general foctors were significantly related to the residence and the level of education of the subjects. The performing of regular breast self-examination in urban areas was 7% and in rural areas was 0%. Regularly practiced breast self-examination in women with a low education was 5% and in college educated women, it was 29%. 4. BSE education was significantly related to the residence and the level of education of the subjects. The majority learned BSE through 'a magazine or journal'. 5. The reason of the majority of women did not perform a regular breast self-examination was, 'Didn't know the BSE technique'. On the basis of this study it can be concluded that the development of a BSE education program is needed to help women perform the examination correctly.