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Factors influencing black women's breast self-examination practice
Cancer Nursing
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Most Black women in the study did not practice breast self-examination (BSE) monthly. Older age and prior breast disease experience were linked to more frequent BSE, while a belief in external health control correlated with less frequent practice.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Health Behavior
Background:
- Breast self-examination (BSE) is a crucial screening tool.
- Understanding factors influencing BSE practice is vital for early detection.
- Disparities in breast cancer screening exist among different demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate breast self-examination (BSE) practices in Black women.
- To examine the relationship between BSE frequency and health locus of control, breast cancer knowledge, and demographics.
- To identify factors that can be targeted for interventions to improve BSE practice.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive correlational study.
- 95 Black women participated.
- Data collected on BSE frequency, health locus of control, breast cancer knowledge, and demographics.
Main Results:
- 67% of women practiced BSE less than monthly; 35% practiced less than every 6 months.
- BSE frequency was associated with age (older women practiced more), prior breast disease experience (less frequent practice in those without), and powerful other locus of control (strongest in least frequent practitioners).
- Breast cancer knowledge scores were low (57% accuracy).
Conclusions:
- Many Black women do not adhere to recommended breast self-examination (BSE) guidelines.
- Interventions should address age, prior experience with breast disease, and health locus of control beliefs.
- Nurses can utilize these findings to develop targeted strategies to enhance BSE practice and improve breast cancer awareness.