• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3849-3854
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide; lack of awareness of symptoms and delay on diagnosis of breast cancer are the main causes of mortality among women. This study was conducted with the purpose of assessing the effect of educational consulting for breast self-examination (BSE) based on the health belief model (HBM) on the knowledge and performance of women over 40 years attending health care centers in Hamadan, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, eligible women admitted to health centers in Hamadan city in 2015 were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups (n=75 in each group). The intervention group received 4 weekly sessions of breast cancer screening consulting based on the HBM. Control group received only routine care. Knowledge, HBM constructs, and BSE practice were compared between the groups before, immediately after and three months after the consultation. Results: Before the intervention, no significant differences were observed in knowledge, health belief and practice between two groups. However, after the intervention a significant difference was observed between two groups in mean scores of perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy and the health motivations (p <0.05). Significant differences were also observed in terms of knowledge and BSE practice (p <0.01). Conclusions: The results indicate the importance of consultation on knowledge and beliefs to improve BSE performance and prevention of breast cancer in Iranian women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1193-1196
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• 2012

Breast and cervical cancer are the most common causes of cancer mortality among women worldwide, but they are largely preventable. There are limited data on knowledge and practices on screening methods of breast and cervical cancers among female health care workers in Sri Lanka, in spite of having an organized screening programme islandwide. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 219 female health care workers including public health midwives (68.9%) selected from 6 districts in Sri Lanka using convenient sampling methods. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a pre-test in a capacity building training programme to collect the data. The mean (SD) duration of work experience of the respondents was 12 years and 52.5% were aged over 35 years. Most (76.7%) were married, and afamily history of cancer was reported by 24.2%. Over 98% knew about self breast examination. Even though 84.1% practiced it, only 47.9% practiced it on a monthly basis. Clinical breast examination and mammography were known by 94.1% and 64.3% respectively. Only 19.2% had undergone a clinical braest examination within one year and 3.6% had ever undergone a mamography. Only 76.3% knew that a Pap smear detects precancerous stage of cervical cancer. Among 169 married workers, 73.4% had never had a Pap smear and only 17.2% had got it done within the preceding 5 years. Among the reasons for not doing a pap smear within 5 years, 47.0% belived it as not nescessary, 17.3% due to fear/dislike, 23.2% as not having symptoms, 3% had not known about it and 3% not known about availability of services. The study findings suggest that the knowledge and practices on breast and cervical cancer screening methods among female health care workers need to be improved. Considering the role that health care workers play in communicating health behaviors to the general public, strengthening health education interventions for this group of females is essential.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4829-4834
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• 2013

Background: Breast self examination (BSE), performed regularly every month, is one of the most important methods in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. This study was performed with the aim of establishing the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of women working in government hospitals within the province of Samsun regarding BSE. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January-March 2012, on a total of 550 women (500 health personnel, and 50 general administration services (GAS) workers) from 7 government hospitals and the Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Education Centre (CEDSEC). Percentages were used for the descriptive statistics, and the chi-square test for the evaluation of statistical importance. Values of p<0.05 were accepted as significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was $36.2{\pm}15.3$, and 42.5% were in the 30-39 year old age group, 78.0% being married. Seventy-eight point four percent (78.4%) of the health personnel and 76.0% of the GAS workers performed BSE. However, the rates of performing BSE regularly every month were only 25.6% and 5.0%. Within the health personnel, 1.4% stated that they did not perform BSE because they found it unnecessary as they had no history of breast cancer in their family, 3.6% did not do so due to fear and stress, 13.2% because they forgot, and 14.6% because they had no complaints. Some 22.2% of the health personnel and 52.0% of the GAS workers had undergone mammographic evaluation, the difference being significant (p<0.05), 84.1% of the health personnel and 61.9% of the GAS workers knowing symptoms of breast cancer. Conclusions: Women in society should be brought to a certain level of awareness and knowledge regarding BSE. It is of the utmost importance that health personnel, who carry the responsibility for counseling and enlightening society, should interiorize the necessary knowledge, attitudes and behavior.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.147-157
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and practice toward breast self-examination (BSE) among middle and high school girls. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using self-report questionnaires. Participants were 412 students, 137 middle and 275 high school girls. Data were collected from December 7 to 23, 2016 and analyzed using t-test and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The percentage of correct answers for knowledge about breast self-examination among middle and high school girls was 29.2%. The mean score for practice ($5.89{\pm}0.10$) among middle and high school girls was low. For knowledge, there were significant differences according to grade (t=5.93, p<.001), having heard about BSE (t=4.02, p<.001), experience of BSE (t=2.51, p=.012), and need for education (t=3.37, p=.001). In practice, there were significant differences according to having heard about BSE (t=3.64, p<.001), experience of BSE (t=2.64, p=.017). Knowledge level of BSE positively correlated with practice of BSE (r=.21, p<.001). Conclusion: Research results suggest that education on BSE for middle and high school girls is needed to increase the possibility of early detection of breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.123-125
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the current status of the awareness and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) among Korean women. Materials and Methods: The study population was derived from the 2007 Korea National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS), an annual cross-sectional survey that uses a nationally representative random sample to investigate cancer-screening rates and related factors. A total of 1,255 Korean women aged ${\geq}30$ years participated in this study. Results: Of all participants, 88.0% reported that they had heard of BSE. The most common source of information on BSE was the media such as TV, radio and newspapers (87.0%). Recommendations from medical staff reached only 17.2%. The overall proportions of regular and irregular BSE were 13.2% and 16.1%, respectively. The main reason for not performing BSE was lack of knowledge about how to conduct the exam (31.7%). Conclusion: Despite a high level of awareness about BSE, only a small minority of women examine their breasts regularly in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.826-830
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• 2010

This study examined the effect of the scattering dose on the thyroid during a mammography examination. One hundred subjects for a mammography examination were enrolled in this study. The average glandular dose (AGD) and thyroid scattering dose (TSD) were measured. Statistical analysis was carried out using the percentage, t-test and co-variance. The mean radiation exposure to the breast and thyroid was $1.08{\pm}0.16$ and $0.14{\pm}0.04$ mGy, respectively. The percentage TSD to the AGD was 31.19%. There was no difference between the Rt. and Lt., and CC to MLO, and radiation dose to the TSD was 13.78% of the breast. Therefore, the volume of radiation exposure to the thyroid was 54.12% in a single routine mammography examination. These results suggest that the TSD was increased by increasing radiation dose to the breast. A thyroid protector is considered necessary to decrease the level of radiation exposure.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.551-559
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify predicting factors of the performance of breast self-examination (BSE) among Korean middle-aged women based upon the Health Belief Model. Method: A descriptive design was used for this study. A total of 309 convenience samples were recruited from Yonsu-Gu, Inchon. The Champion's Health Belief Model Scale was used to measure the health belief related variables of susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, confidence, and health motivation. The performance of BSE asked of it was as ever or never performed during the last year. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics, $\chi^2$-test, t-test, and logistic regression. Result: Results showed that 32% had ever BSE last year. Age and BSE education among demographic characteristics were significantly associated with the performance of BSE. Thus, these demographic variables were added to the logistic regression analyses with the health belief variables. As a result, age, BSE education, health motivation, and confidence significantly explained the performance of BSE. Conclusion: This study suggests that it is important that the development of BSE educational programs increase confidence and motivation, particularly for middle aged-Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of breast self-examination (BSE) education between at education and three months. Method: The study subjects were consisted of 30 women chosen from those in a Catholic church in Seoul. The data was collected by using questionnare at two different times: immediately after the BSE education and 3 momths after. Result: At three months, women who performed BSE was 50.0% and the number of BSE practce was 2.53. There was statistically significant change on the score of the knowledge, barrier and practice between at education and three months later. Susceptibility was increased after three month, but wasn't significant different. Confidence, motivation after three months were decreased from the time of initial BSE education and wasn't significantly changed. It was found that motivation about BSE explained 44.2% of variance. Conclusion: The findings showed that the knowledge of BSE, and attitudes and practice were change between at the time of the first survey and at three months. Therefore, the intensive education about BSE can be effective to enhance women's health belief and practice to perform BSE for early detection of breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.721-727
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• 2005

Purpose. This cross-sectional survey was conducted to described the compliance of Breast Self-Examination of middle-aged women using a convenient sample, and to examine relationships between the compliance of BSE and Health Beliefs, and the influencing factors on the compliance of BSE. Methods. The subjects were 373 literate volunteers who were from 41 to 60 years of age who visited 6 public health centers. From June 7, 2004 to August 20, 2004, data were collected by 5 research assistants using a self-report questionnaire. The questionnaire was used to obtain information on the general characteristics, knowledge, health beliefs, and compliance of BSE. Results. The findings of this study suggested that there were significant differences in the scores of the perceived susceptibility and severity between compliers and non-compliers of the BSE. BSE compliance was significantly correlated with knowledge, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity. The most powerful predictor of BSE compliance was the perceived susceptibility. The perceived susceptibility, the perceived severity, the knowledge and educational level accounted for $41.8\%$ of the variance in middle aged women's BSE compliance. Conclusion. Increase in knowledge about breast cancer, with a concomitant increase in both perceived susceptibility and perceived severity could produce a subtle cue or motivating force sufficient to affect a behavior change. Further research is needed to examine the qualitative difference between BSE and other early detection behaviors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.202-210
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was to determine the effect of knowledge of and attitude to Breast Self-Examination (BSE) on female university students' intention to practice. Methods: The subjects were female university students who participated in the Pink Ribbon Campaign of the Korea Breast Health Foundation held at H University on October 11, 2016. The data were collected using a questionnaire in Naver Office Form. The data were analyzed by $x^2$ test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA and logistic regression model using SPSS 21.0 program. Results: Significant factors influencing the intention to practice were BSE educational experience and the benefits of BSE. The odds ratios were 3.61 and 5.92, respectively. Conclusion: It was found that the benefits of BSE were more influential than the educational experience on BSE as an influencing factors of BSE practice intention. Also, it was confirmed that attitude should be considered more important than knowledge in order to increase their practice intention. Since the benefits, among attitudinal factors, were confirmed as an influencing factor, BSE educational programs for female university students should put more focus on the benefits of BSE, not just sticking to delivering related knowledge.