Impact of breast self-examination planned educational messages on social network communications: an exploratory study

This two-part study examined the effect of college women's participation in a breast self-examination (BSE) educational program on discussion of BSE with specific members of their social network. In addition, the characteristics of college women who did report discussion with others were investigated as was the relationship between this discussion and the participants' mothers' breast cancer screening behaviors. Results suggest that a BSE education intervention which includes explicit messages to encourage discussion with social network members is effective in increasing communication with mothers, sisters and friends. College women who discussed BSE with their mothers were more likely to have mothers who have a high quality BSE practice and who state an intention to request a clinical breast examination at their next physician visit. The limitations of this study are discussed with recommendations for future research.