• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.2267-2272
• /
• 2014

Background: Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in Turkey. Nurses are essential providers of preventive care for patients, especially breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening as part of routine preventive practice. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge of these cancers among nurses in Karabuk State Hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed from April 1 to July 30, 2013. The study sample consisted of 226 nurses working in Karabuk State Hospital. Results: Mean age of the nurses was $32.07{\pm}8.39$. 62.4% of nurses practiced breast self examination when they remembered it, while 39.8% of them did not take a Pap smear test since they did not think it was necessary. 64.2% of nurses would like to receive information about cancer and screening tests. Majority of them had given true answers to questions on breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. There were significant relationships between cancer knowledge scores and marital status, working experience, and level of education. Conclusions: Nurses possess adequate knowledge about breast cancer but they need more information on cancer risk estimation. Awareness may be raised in nurses by establishing continuing education programs regarding the risk factors, symptoms, protection methods, early diagnosis, and scanning of breast, cervix and colon cancers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.295-300
• /
• 2012

Breast self-examination (BSE) is important for early diagnosis of breast cancer (BC). However, the majority of Turkish women do not perform regular BSE. We aimed to evaluate the effects of education level on the attitudes and behaviors of women towards BSE. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 women (20-59 years), divided into university graduates (Group I, n = 224) and high school or lower graduates (Group II, n = 189). They completed a 22-item scale assessing the knowledge level, attitudes and behaviors regarding BSE, and the Turkish version of the Champion's Revised Health Belief Model. A significantly higher number of women in Group II did not believe in early diagnosis of BC. A significantly higher number of Group I had conducted BSE at least once, and their BSE frequency was also significantly high. Moreover, a significantly lower number of Group I women considered themselves to not be at risk for BC and the scores for "perceived susceptibility" and "perceived barriers" were significantly higher. Logistic regression analysis identified the university graduate group to have a higher likelihood of performing BSE, by 1.8 times. Higher educational levels were positively associated with BSE performance. Overall, the results suggest that Turkish women, regardless of their education level, need better education on BSE. Consideration of the education level in women will help clinicians develop more effective educational programs, resulting in more regular practice and better use of BSE.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.381-394
• /
• 1997

This study was conducted to investigate breast self examination ( = BSE) - related knowledge, attitudes and practice of junior nursing college students in Kwangju. Chonnam province. The subjects were 161 nursing students in 3 junior nursing colleges among 10 colleges in K city and Chonnam province. The data was collected from Nov. 16, 1997 to Dec. 16, 1997 and analyzed by an SAS program for t or F test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results were as follows: 1. The mean score of BSE - related knowledge was 18.2, that of BSE-related attitudes was 29.1 and that of BSE-related practice was 3.1. 2. The first advantage of BSE-related practice was the early detection of breast cancer. Reasons for not practicing BSE were difficulty in practicing(33%), and indifference to practicing(29%) in that order. 3. In the relationship between BSE-related characteristics and the scores of BSE-related knowledge, groups having breast cancer history in relatives or neighbors tended to have higher scores than groups not having them significantly(t=2.07, p=0.042). In the relationship between BSE-related characteristics and the scores of BSE-related attitudes, groups practicing BSE(t=1.67, p<0.10) and groups not receiving breast examinations from doctors(t=-1.83, p<0.10) tended to have significantly higher scores than those of others. In the relationship between BSE-related characterestics and the scores of BSE-related practice, the group having a breast cancer history in relatives or neighbors tended to have significantly higher scores than those of others(t=2.05, p=0.04). 4. In the correlation among the scores of BSE-related knowledge, attitude and practice, there was slight or little correlation between the score of BSE-related knowledge and that of BSE-related attitude(r=0.30) ; as well as between attitude and practice (r=0.18).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.4459-4464
• /
• 2012

Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia. It is known that nurses play a key role in promoting breast cancer awareness among women in any society. Nurses in primary health care centres (PHCC) have more direct contact with general population. This study aimed to investigate nurse knowledge of breast cancer and practice of early screening in PHCC in Jeddah city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the general knowledge of breast cancer, risk factors, and practice of 210 PHCC nurses. Data were analysed using SPSS v.16. Results: The mean age of the PHCC Nurses was 36.9 (SD ${\pm}8.6$). Only 11% percent scored <50% of the total score for general epidemiological knowledge on breast cancer, about 35% scored <50% of the total score for breast cancer risk factors. Sixty seven percent scored >75% of the total score on breast cancer signs. Majority of nurses 62.8% practiced BSE, but only 4% practiced regularly every month. Some 28% practiced once per year. About 81% of the nurses had not had a clinical breast examination and only 14% had had a mammography. The results of the study failed to show any correlation between the knowledge scores with age, education, year of experience, family history of BC and marital status of the nurses. Conclusion:The results from the study reflect that there is a need to provide continuing nursing education programmes for PHCC nurses to improve their breast cancer knowledge and practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.8
• /
• pp.3565-3572
• /
• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and leading cause of death worldwide, including in Turkey. High perceptions of cancer fatalism are associated with lower rates of participation in screening for breast cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breast cancer fatalism and other factors on breast cancer awareness among nursing students in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at three universities in the Western Black Sea region. The sample was composed of 838 nursing students. Data were collected by Personal Information Form, Powe Fatalism Inventory (PFI) and Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Results: Breast cancer fatalism perception of the students was at a low level. It was determined that students; seriousness perception was moderate, health motivation, BSE benefits and BSE self-efficacy perceptions were high, and BSE barriers and sensitivity perceptions were low. In addition, it was determined that students awareness of breast cancer was affected by breast cancer fatalism, class level, family history of breast cancer, knowledge on BSE, source of information on BSE, frequency of BSE performing, having breast examination by a healthcare professional within the last year and their health beliefs. Conclusions: In promoting breast cancer early diagnosis behaviour, it is recommended to evaluate fatalism perceptions and health beliefs of the students and to arrange training programs for this purpose.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.139-155
• /
• 1999

This study was performed to assess the practice behavior and the need for cancer screening in order to design the community projects in Suwon city. A random sample of urban married women was surveyed on knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast and cervical cancer screening by telephone from April 28th to May 19th. Four hundred two married women completed the questionnaire, and the results were as follows: 1. Urban women were not generally knowledgeable about symptoms, signs and etiology of breast and cervical cancer. Only 11.4% of respondents were fully aware of those subjects. 2. Two hundred eighty six repondents(71.1%) reported having had a mammogram or Pap smear, while 116 respondents(28.9%) reported never having had a mammogram nor Pap smear. 3. The rate of mammogram increased by age and income status significantly(p〈0.05). 4. The majority(73.1%) of women who had a mammogram reported that it was part of a routine physical examination and another 24.3% of the women reported that they had a mammogram for specific breast problems. Meanwhile, the reasons reported for never having a mammogram were as follows; never had any problems (72.1%), no chance(11.2%), no time(4.3%). 5. The main factors associated with adherence to mammography screening guidelines was monthly income status. 6. The majority(80.6%) of women who had a Pap smear reported that it was part of a routine physical examination and another 16.0% of the women reported that it was part of a routine physical examination and another 16.0% of the women reported that they had a Pap smear for specific uterus problems. Meanwhile, the reasons reported for never having a Pap smear were: never had any problems(69.0%) and no chance(11.5%) 7. Women with higher income status were most likely to have a Pap smear regularly (p〈0.01), and the rate of Pap smear increased by education level significantly(p〈0.05). The main factors associated with adherence to Pap smear screening guidelines were education level and monthly income status, similar to those of mammograph. These findings indicate that married women in Suwon city show a lower rate of breast and cervical cancer screening practice than that of developed countries. The rate of mammograph was especially low. It is, therefore, suggested that cost, environmental factors, process, and information for screening tests be considered more programmatically before designing a community project for breast and cervical cancer screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.4491-4499
• /
• 2012

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer among women in the world and the most common cause of deaths from cancer in females. In Turkey, breast cancer comes first in the list of the most frequent ten cancer types seen in women. As the incidence rate of breast cancer is high, many women having breast cancer in the family experience the breast cancer at secondhand. This study was carried out in an attempt to determine the information and support needs of women whose first-degree relatives have breast cancer and to what extent these needs are met. Methods: The research sample consisted of 156 women. Questionnaire Form and Information and Support Needs Questionnaires were used as the data collection tools. Results: Information need score averages ($x^-:3.72{\pm}0.19$) of women included in the research sampling were found to be higher than their score averages of support needs ($x^-:3.24{\pm}0.41$). Conclusion: Information needs which were indicated by women as very important were related to treatment, symptoms of breast cancer and breast self examination (BSE), while support needs which were indicated by women as very important were learning how to perform BSE, women's anxiety for themselves and their relatives regarding breast cancer and having their breasts examined by a health professional. It is recommended that nurses and other medical staff should give information to women whose first-degree relatives have breast cancer about the disease, its etiology, scanning, diagnosis, treatment options and protection as well as prevention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.19
• /
• pp.8191-8195
• /
• 2014

Background: Around 200,000 breast disorders are annually diagnosed all over the world. Fibrocystic changes are the most common breast disorder and fibroadenoma is the most prevalent benign breast tumor. The present study aimed to determine the spectrum, type and prevalence of breast masses in women referred to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between 2004 and 2012. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the diagnostic reports data. Results: A total of 640 samples were studied. Most 57.3% of masses were detected in the left breast, 65%, 28.2% and 6.1% of cases presenting with benign, malignant, and inflammatory lesions, respectively. Among all the samples the most prevalent diagnosis (37.7%) was fibroadenoma and fibrocystic lesions (17%). 174 samples (96% of the malignant cases) were invasive. 6.5% of the benign, and 37% of the malignant cases occurred in post menopause women and the differences were statistically significant. Among those with malignant tumors lymph nodes were involved in 25.6% of menopausal women and 44.2% of non-menopausal ones, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: Regular clinical breast examination beside mammographic follow-ups, especially during menopause, should be carried out as a priority and a national organized program should be designed for screening breast disorders.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.20
• /
• pp.8719-8724
• /
• 2014

Background: Breast cancer incidence is increasing among South Asian migrants to the United States (US). However, their utilization of cancer screening services is poor. This study characterizes attitudes of South Asians towards breast health and screening in a community sample. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) was conducted among South Asians (n=124) in New Jersey and Chicago. The following beliefs and attitudes towards breast cancer screening were assessed-health motivation, breast self-examination confidence, breast cancer susceptibility and fear, and mammogram benefits and barriers. Descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation coefficients were computed for HBM subscales. Findings: Mean age of participants was 36 years with an average 10 years stay in the US. Most women strived to care for their health ($3.82{\pm}1.18$) and perceived high benefits of screening mammography ($3.94{\pm}0.95$). However, they perceived lower susceptibility to breast cancer in the future ($2.30{\pm}0.94$). Conclusions: Increasing awareness of breast cancer risk for South Asian women may have a beneficial effect on cancer incidence because of their positive attitudes towards health and breast cancer screening. This is especially relevant because South Asians now constitute one of the largest minority populations in the US and their incidence of breast cancer is steadily increasing.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.155-159
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of posture changes(Anteroposterior projection, Posteroanterior projection) in the plain abdominal examination on breast dose and to examine its clinical usefulness. This study was used a human body phantom and a glass dosimeter. Glass dosimeters were directly inserted from the center and outside of medial and lateral. In this study, the deep dose was measured in the right breast and the surface dose in the left breast. During the abdominal examination, the central X-ray incident point was perpendicularly incident to the image receptor 5 cm above the iliac crest. The exposure parameters were 82 kVp, 320 mA, 50 ms, x-ray field size 14×17 inch The distance between the center X-ray and the detector was fixed at 110 cm, and only the top two AEC chambers were used. As a result of this study, the medial and lateral side doses of the right breast were 535.73±30.68 μGy and 414.46±33.52 μGy for erect AP, and 145.80±18.52 μGy and 148.76±12.92 μGy in erect PA. The superficial breast dose was 754.00±68.36 μGy on the medial side and 674.06±45.58 μGy on the lateral side in the erect AP, 70.66±7.98 μGy on the medial side, and 86.46±15.35 μGy on the lateral side in the erect PA. There was a statistically significant difference in the difference between the mean values of the medial and lateral side doses in the deep and superficial areas of the breast according to the postural change (p <0.01). As a result of this study, If the abdominal radiography was examined in the PA position, the dose reduction effect was 72.78% on the medial side, 64.10% on the lateral side of the deep breast, 90.62% on the medial side, and 87.17% on the lateral side of the superficial breast compared to the AP position.