Performed a Qualitative and Quantitative of Breast Self-Examination: a Checklist Approach

Introduction: Breast neoplasia is the most common cancer among women in both developed and developing countries. Over ۱.۱۵ million women in the world detecting with breast neoplasia each year and the mortality rate is ۵۰۲,۰۰۰ cases from this cancer. The purpose of this study was to describe how Iranian women perform breast self-examination. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study ۴۴۷ participants referred to five health center of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences were chosen. The questionnaire and checklist were completed by all participants through a face-to-face interview. If she obtains ۰-۶ total score, she has weak performance, if she obtains ۷-۱۲ total score, she has acceptable performance and if she obtains ۱۳-۱۸ total score, she has good performance of breast self-examination. Statistical analysis carried out using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) version ۱۶. A P-value of <۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant. Non-parametric tests such as Mann–Whitney were adopted. Results: In our study, ۹۲% of women heard about breast self-examination, but only ۱۷.۴% of them performed it monthly. Of ۴۴۷ participants, ۳۴۸ (۷۷.۹%) had poor, ۷۸ (۱۷.۴%) moderate and only ۲۱ (۴.۷%) had good performance. From all participants, ۱۸۹(۴۲%) by health worker, ۳۶(۸.۱%) by family and ۷۰(۱۵.۷%) by media learned how to perform breast self-examination. Conclusion: The study showed that although most of women heard about breast self-examination but it was not a routine screening in developing country. This study confirmed that Iranian women have poor knowledge about how to perform breast self-examination. There is need for adequate health education on breast cancer and breast self-examination among Iranian women.

Keywords:

Breast Self-Examination , Breast , Breast Neoplasms , Women , Neoplasms