Predictors Affecting Breast Self-Examination Practice among Turkish Women

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among females in Turkey. Predictors affectingthe breast self-examination (BSE) performance vary in developing countries. <br/><b>Objective</b>: To determine thefrequency of BSE performance and predictors of self-reported BSEs among women in the capital city ofTurkey. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 376 Turkish women using a selfadministeredquestionnaire covering socio-demographic variables and BSE-related features. <br/><b>Results</b>: Of theparticipants, 78.7% (N=296) reported practicing BSE, whereas 9.5% (N=28) were implementing BSE regularlyon a monthly basis, and only 5.7% (N=17) were performing BSE regularly within a week after each menstrualcycle. Multivariate logistic regression modeling revealed that BSE performance was more likely in younger agegroups [20-39 years] (p=0.018, OR=3.215) and [40-49 years] (p=0.009, OR=3.162), women having a family historyof breast disease (p=0.038, OR=2.028), and housewives (p=0.013, OR=0.353). <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Although it appearsthat the rates of BSE performers are high, the number of women conducting appropriate BSE on a regulartime interval basis is lower than expected. Younger age groups, family history of breast diseases and not beingemployed were identified as significant predictors of practicing BSE appropriately. Older age and employmentwere risk factors for not performing BSE in this sample.