Motivational factors in breast self-examination. Implications for nurses

Breast self-examination (BSE) is an important self-care activity for women to perform to maintain their life, health, and well-being. Although women are growing aware of the importance of breast self-examination, it appears that they lack sufficient motivation to perform it on a consistent basis. Nurses are ideal health professionals to motivate women to perform BSE because of their knowledge, their supportive-educative role, and their numbers located in various settings. The purpose of this article is to identify how nurses can direct their efforts in the promotion of BSE practice through the use of Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory. This article will also explore, through the application of the PRECEDE Model, how nurses can develop effective strategies to increase the consistent practice of BSE in women.