Effects of Breast Cancer Fatalism on Breast Cancer Awareness among Nursing Students in Turkey

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and leading cause of death worldwide,including in Turkey. High perceptions of cancer fatalism are associated with lower rates of participation inscreening for breast cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breast cancer fatalism and otherfactors on breast cancer awareness among nursing students in Turkey. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: This cross-sectionaldescriptive study was conducted at three universities in the Western Black Sea region. The sample was composedof 838 nursing students. Data were collected by Personal Information Form, Powe Fatalism Inventory (PFI) andChampion’s Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). <br/><b>Results</b>: Breast cancer fatalism perception of the students wasat a low level. It was determined that students’ seriousness perception was moderate, health motivation, BSEbenefits and BSE self-efficacy perceptions were high, and BSE barriers and sensitivity perceptions were low.In addition, it was determined that students awareness of breast cancer was affected by breast cancer fatalism,class level, family history of breast cancer, knowledge on BSE, source of information on BSE, frequency of BSEperforming, having breast examination by a healthcare professional within the last year and their health beliefs.<br/><b>Conclusions</b>: In promoting breast cancer early diagnosis behaviour, it is recommended to evaluate fatalismperceptions and health beliefs of the students and to arrange training programs for this purpose.