Evaluation of a hospital teaching program for breast self-examination

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a hospital teaching program for breast self-examination. The retention of breast self-examination knowledge and the frequency and accuracy of breast self-examination of 50 subjects 9 months after hospitalization were examined. Findings of the study were that the majority of patients believed they had adequate knowledge to perform breast self-examination following the instructional program and 76% reported performing breast self-examination on a regular basis 9 months post hospitalization. Confidence in their knowledge and ability to perform breast self-examination as well as perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and perceived benefits of breast self-examination were positively related to subjects' breast self-examination practices.