title: Women's help seeking behaviour for self discovered breast cancer symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to explore women's Help Seeking Behaviour (HSB) for a self discovered breast symptom, in order to gain understanding of women's experience of finding a breast symptom and how this influenced their HSB. In addition, the study sought to confirm the appropriateness of the "Help Seeking Behaviour & Influencing Factors" framework, for use in phase two of the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative descriptive method was used involving semi-structured interviews with ten women, ranging in age from 25 to 55 years, who had discovered a breast symptom.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women's HSB ranged from up to one month (n = 6), one to three months (n = 2) and over three months (n = 2), following symptom discovery. The key variables linked to delayed help seeking were denial, fear, social factors and knowledge and beliefs. The study verified that the variables within the "Help Seeking Behaviour and Influencing Factors" framework act as both facilitators and barriers to women's HSB. Thus, confirming the appropriateness of this framework for a larger quantitative study of women's help seeking behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study highlights that despite continued emphasis on early help seeking for breast cancer symptoms, delay is still prevalent amongst women. This reiterates the need for continued emphasis on the message of early detection for breast cancer symptoms. To this end, nurses have a significant role to play in educating women in both clinical and community settings, about breast cancer and early detection practices.
authors.affiliation: Catherine McAuley School of Nursing & Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland. mairin.omahony@ucc.ie
authors.forename: Mairin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Mahony
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hegarty
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013997:Time Factors