title: Awareness and practice of breast self-examination among Korean women: results from a nationwide survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify the current status of the awareness and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) among Korean women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population was derived from the 2007 Korea National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS), an annual cross-sectional survey that uses a nationally representative random sample to investigate cancer-screening rates and related factors. A total of 1,255 Korean women aged ≥ 30 years participated in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all participants, 88.0% reported that they had heard of BSE. The most common source of information on BSE was the media such as TV, radio and newspapers (87.0%). Recommendations from medical staff reached only 17.2%. The overall proportions of regular and irregular BSE were 13.2% and 16.1%, respectively. The main reason for not performing BSE was lack of knowledge about how to conduct the exam (31.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite a high level of awareness about BSE, only a small minority of women examine their breasts regularly in Korea.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Bit-Na
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Kui Son
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kyu-Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Jae Kwan
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology