Breast cancer screening (breast self-examination, clinical breast exam, and mammography) in women referred to health centers in Tabriz, Iran.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the most common cause of death in Iranian women aged 35-55 years. Breast cancer screening comprises breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography.


OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to examine the performance of screening methods among women referring to health centers of Tabriz, Iran.


METHODS
This was a descriptive-analytical research carried out on 400 women aged 20-50 years. The samples were chosen through random multistage sampling among health centers of Tabriz then active records of women. A questionnaire and observational checklist was used to elicit socio-demographic information and performance of women towards breast cancer screening methods. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square and Fisher's exact test) were used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
Only 18.8% of women did breast self-examination, 19.1% had clinical breast examination and 3.3% had mammogram. Statistical test showed a significant relationship between performing BSE and educational level, employment, income, number of children, breastfeeding history, breastfeeding quality and family history of breast cancer. There was a significant correlation between performing CBE and history of breast tumor and also, between performing the mammography and family history of breast cancer and history of breast tumor (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings showed that the performance of breast cancer screening methods was not satisfactory. Performance in high risk women was very desirable than others.


CONCLUSIONS
The presentation of imperative education about breast cancer screening methods through health staff especially in pregnancy, post-partum and even in pre marriage counseling periods seems necessary.
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Azizeh Farshbaf
AF
Khalili
Mahnaz
M
Shahnazi
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult