Predictors affecting breast self-examination practice among Turkish women.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among females in Turkey. Predictors affecting the breast self-examination (BSE) performance vary in developing countries.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of BSE performance and predictors of self-reported BSEs among women in the capital city of Turkey.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 376 Turkish women using a self- administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic variables and BSE-related features.


RESULTS
Of the participants, 78.7% (N=296) reported practicing BSE, whereas 9.5% (N=28) were implementing BSE regularly on a monthly basis, and only 5.7% (N=17) were performing BSE regularly within a week after each menstrual cycle. Multivariate logistic regression modeling revealed that BSE performance was more likely in younger age groups [20-39 years] (p=0.018, OR=3.215) and [40-49 years] (p=0.009, OR=3.162), women having a family history of breast disease (p=0.038, OR=2.028), and housewives (p=0.013, OR=0.353).


CONCLUSIONS
Although it appears that the rates of BSE performers are high, the number of women conducting appropriate BSE on a regular time interval basis is lower than expected. Younger age groups, family history of breast diseases and not being employed were identified as significant predictors of practicing BSE appropriately. Older age and employment were risk factors for not performing BSE in this sample.
Department of Family Medicine, Turkish Military Academy, Primary Care Examination Center, Ankara, Turkey E-mail : ycetindoganer@hotmail.com, doganer.yusuf@mayo.edu.
Yusuf C
YC
Doganer
Umit
U
Aydogan
Zafer
Z
Kilbas
James E
JE
Rohrer
Oktay
O
Sari
Necibe
N
Usterme
Servet
S
Yuksel
Halil
H
Akbulut
Salih M
SM
Balkan
Kenan
K
Saglam
Turgut
T
Tufan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult