Factors Affecting Active Early Detection Behaviors of Breast Cancer in Outpatients

This study was done to evaluate factors affecting active early detection behaviors of breast cancer and performance rate of breast self examination (BSE), physical examination and mammography.

The participants were 264 women from an outpatient breast clinic of a university hospital and materials were collected from March 2007 to February 2008 using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using chi-square test, logistic analysis.

The rate for BSE was 58.3%, for physical examination, 55.3% and for mammography experience, 63.4%. Women with all of these active early detection behaviors accounted for 31.8% of the participants. Various factors such as age, income, marital status, and menopause showed increased significant performance rate. The explanation power of logistic model was 48.5%, and was significant for age, income and health belief. Factors related to high performance rate were being over 40 years of age, high income and high health belief score.

Active early detection behaviors were not high in spite of marked increases in breast cancer incidence. Encouragement for women practicing early detection behavior is important, but there is also a need to develop interest and support for the low performance group. More sustained education and public relations are needed to further improve active early detection behavior.