Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate social circumstances, predisposition, and health behavior in 911 women (mean 51.5±11.2 years old) who were examined for breast cancer by mass screening and self examination.
The results were as follows: 1) The majority of subjects were married housewives, 2) A family history of cancer was found in 45.8%, 3) A past history of complaints and disease of the breast were seen in about 20% each ; the incidence was higher among younger subjects, 4) The rate of mass screening for breast cancer was lower than for other diseases, 5) Among those who underwent mass screening for breast cancer for the first time, the number who had also taken mass screening for gastric, uterine cancer or general health was small, 6) The rate of complaints of a mass in the breast and past history of breast diseases were higher among those who had previously undergone screening for breast cancer.
Consequently, the factors which seemed to influence health behavior with regard to cancer of the breast were family history of cancer, past history of breast diseases, complaints of the breast, and spare time for the examination. Moreover, most subjects who underwent mass screening for breast cancer had also undergone other mass screening.
