Differences in breast self-examination techniques between Caucasian and African American elderly women.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of breast self-examination (BSE) is controversial, recommendations to women are mixed, and reported differences by race in BSE are contrary to what is expected. We attribute this, in part, to measurement error in studies assessing the effectiveness of BSE. We assess differences by race in self-reported BSE while controlling selected sociodemographic indicators, BSE training, embarrassment, and perceived competence.


METHODS
Data are from personal interviews with 1011 women ages 50 and older, with approximately equal numbers of African Americans and Caucasians reporting that they examine their own breasts.


RESULTS
African American women are more likely than Caucasians to report examining their breasts visually, whereas Caucasian women are more likely than African Americans to report tactile examination of breast tissue, consistent with recommended BSE procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
BSE measures must be multidimensional to detect differences by race to guide interventions promoting self-detection of breast lumps, early presentation, and mortality reduction.
Mitchell
Jim
J
Center on Aging, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4354, USA. mitchellj@mail.ecu.deu
Mathews
Holly F
HF
Mayne
Linda
L
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data