[Breast cancer's secondary prevention and associated factors].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of secondary prevention of breast cancer and associated factors.


METHODS
A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Pelotas, southeastern Brazil, in 2002. The study sample comprised 879 women aged 40 to 69 years. Information was collected on demographic, social, economic, behavioral, biological and care management variables. Statistical analysis based on Poisson regression model was carried out.


RESULTS
The prevalence of breast self-examination (BSE) was 83.5% (95% CI: 80.9-85.9). Of them, 80.4% (95% CI: 77.3-83.2) carried out BSE at least once a month. The prevalence of clinical breast examination was 83.3% (95% CI: 80.6-85.7). Mammography was occasionally performed in 70% (95% CI: 66.8-73.0) of the sample. Of these women, 83.7% (95% CI: 80.5-86.6) underwent mammography at least once in the last two years. Sixty-two percent (95% CI: 58.7-65.2) of the women interviewed attended a gynecological visit at least once in the last year. The factors mainly associated to the high prevalence of secondary prevention of breast cancer were: higher social status; greater association of risk factors for breast cancer; family history of breast cancer; hormone replacement therapy and previous breast biopsy or surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Preventive measures for breast cancer have been widely taken in the study sample; however, data points out to some limitations related to efficacy. Social and economic status seems to be a major determinant to gynecological care access and, consequently, access to secondary prevention of breast cancer.
Sclowitz
Marcelo Leal
ML
Departamento Materno-infantil, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil. sclowitzml@terra.com.br
Menezes
Ana Maria Baptista
AM
Gigante
Denise Petrucci
DP
Tessaro
Sérgio
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors