2018 Volume 32 Article ID: 32_suzuki_20171120
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether an educational program aimed at promoting breast awareness for early detection of breast cancer would encourage changes in behaviors and beliefs regarding breast cancer， breast self-examination, and mammography screening. Methods: We compared subjectsʼ behaviors and beliefs regarding breast self-examination and mammography screening before and after intervention, without a control group. Forty⊖two women, aged over 20 years and with no breast cancer history, consented to enroll in the study. They participated in an educational program conducted by ourselves and breast cancer survivors. Study outcomes consisted of the rates of performing regular breast self-examination and having mammography screening, and scores from Championʼs Health Belief Model Scale for Japanese （CHBMS-J）． Results: The mean participant age was 50.6 （SD=11.5） years; 59.5％ had an occupation, and 16.7％ had breast disease. One year after the intervention, the percentage of women who were performing regular breast self-examinations had risen significantly to 54.8％ from 21.4％（χ 2 =9.389, p＝0.002, effect size w=0.602）；the percentage who had undergone mammography screenings had also risen significantly, to 47.6％ from 23.8％ （χ2 =8.100, p=0.004, effect size w＝0.569）．CHBMS-J scores for self-efficacy in breast self-examinations raised significantly at 1 and 6 months, and 1 year, after intervention （F=34.080, p＜0.001, effect size f=0.586）．More than 90％ of participants stated that they were satisfied with the program and found it useful and valuable. Conclusion: The program successfully enhanced self-efficacy in breast self-examination and motivation to undergo breast self-examination and mammography screening, thus raising rates of performance of breast self-examination and attendance for mammography screening.
