Cancer-Related Self-Efficacy in Iranian Women With Breast Cancer

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in his or her capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific achievement. Past studies have shown probable increases in self-efficacy with growing age. Iranian women with breast cancer are one decade younger than their western counterparts. <strong>Objectives:</strong> The present study aims to investigate the level of cancer-related self-efficacy in Iranian women, and its demographic and medical predictors. <strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> This is a descriptive cross-sectional study comprised of 91 breast cancer patients referring for chemotherapy to one of the largest oncology centers in northwest of Iran. The patients' demographic and medical characteristics were determined and their cancer related self-efficacy was assessed using cancer behavior inventory containing 33 items. Data analysis was completed using SPSS software version 13. Descriptive and Regression analysis were used to describe demographic and medical characteristics of the patients and their predictors of cancer-related self-efficacy. <strong>Results:</strong> The sustained cancer-related positive attitude had, in total, the highest mean score of 7 subscales of cancer behavior inventory and the seeking of social support had the least mean score. Only Patient's education and the time of cancer diagnosis were associated with self-efficacy of Iranian women in relation to cancer. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> According to the results obtained, it is necessary to consider the level of education, social support, and the time of cancer diagnosis in order to assess the self-efficacy in Iranian women with breast cancer.