title: Motivations and reasons for women attending a breast self-examination training program: A qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer is a major threat to Taiwanese women's health. Despite the controversy surrounding the effectiveness of breast self-examination (BSE) in reducing mortality, BSE is still advocated by some health departments. The aim of the study is to provide information about how women decide to practice BSE and their experiences through the training process. Sixty-six women aged 27-50 were recruited.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was conducted using small group and individual in-depth interviews to collect data, and using thematic analysis and constant comparison techniques for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that a sense of self-security became an important motivator for entering BSE training. The satisfaction in obtaining a sense of self-security emerged as the central theme. Furthermore, a ladder motivation model was developed to explain the participants' motivations for entering BSE training. The patterns of motivation include opportunity taking, clarifying confusion, maintaining health, and illness monitoring, which were connected with the risk perception for breast cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recognize that the way women decide to attend BSE training is influenced by personal and social factors. Understanding the different risk assessments women rely on in making their health decisions is essential. This study will assist researchers and health professionals to gain a better understanding of alternative ways to deal with breast health, and not to be limited by the recommendations of the health authorities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Rea-Jeng
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Lian-Hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yeu-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Ue-Lin
authors.initials: UL
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Chiun-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Herng-Dar
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Bih
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013624:Taiwan