Comparison of breast cancer risk estimations, risk perception, and screening behaviors in obese rural Korean women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess three breast cancer risk assessment tools in obese rural Korean women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey design.


METHODS
Community settings in the rural region of northeastern South Korea.


METHODS
A nested cohort sample of 64 severely obese women aged 40-60 years from the Korean Genomic Regional Cohort registry.


METHODS
The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool of the National Cancer Institute (BCRAT-NCI), Breast Cancer Risk Appraisal for Korean Women (BCRA-K), and Estimation of Individualized Probabilities of Developing Breast Cancer for Korean Women (EIPDBC-K) were used for interview data. Mammography, women's perceptions, and screening behaviors also were analyzed.


METHODS
Breast cancer risk assessment, mammography findings, women's perceptions of breast cancer risk, and breast cancer screening behaviors.


RESULTS
A total of 5 (BCRAT-NCI), 19 (BCRA-K), and 43 (EIPDBC-K) women were at higher (above average or high) risk for breast cancer. The BCRA-K (r = 0.28, p < 0.05) and EIPDBC-K (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) correlated with mammography findings. However, the BCRAT-NCI correlated only with the BCRA-K. Women's breast self-examination (χ2 = 4.77, p < 0.05) and mammography findings (χ2 = 5.22, p < 0.05) differed according to their risk perception.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk assessment by the BCRA-K and EIPDBC-K was related to mammography findings. Women's perception of breast cancer risk influenced their screening behaviors. When choosing a risk assessment tool, healthcare professionals should consider the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of the target population.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare professionals should use appropriate risk assessment tools in breast cancer education and counseling to help women understand their risk factors and adopt proper health behaviors.
Department of Nursing, Institute of Genomic Cohort, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Gangwon-Do, South Korea.
SoMi
S
Park
Barbara B
BB
Cochrane
Sang Baek
SB
Koh
ChaeWeon
C
Chung
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012424:Rural Population