Enhancing breast cancer screening in the university setting

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Nursing

Background:

• Early detection of breast cancer through screening methods like mammography, clinical breast examination, and breast self-examination (BSE) is crucial for improving survival rates.
• Understanding women's attitudes and barriers towards breast cancer screening is essential for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of supportive coaching in enhancing women's compliance with breast cancer screening guidelines.
• To explore women's attitudes and identified barriers related to breast cancer screening.
• To assess the impact of professional nursing support and screening compliance on women's health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed with female employees at a state university.
• Participants were randomized into an experimental group receiving supportive coaching and a control group.
• Pre- and post-study questionnaires assessed attitudes, beliefs, demographics, health information, and screening practices.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed between groups for mammography and clinical breast examination compliance.
• The experimental group demonstrated significantly higher compliance with breast self-examination (BSE) compared to the control group.
• A range of attitudes and beliefs regarding breast cancer screening were identified across participants.

Conclusions:

• Supportive coaching shows potential in improving adherence to breast self-examination (BSE) practices.
• Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for enhancing mammography and clinical breast examination compliance.
• Addressing individual attitudes and barriers is key to promoting comprehensive breast cancer screening adherence.