Determination of Women’s Health Beliefs, Breast Cancer Fears, and Fatalism Associated with Behaviors Regarding the Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer screening can prevent cancer deaths. Fatalism and fear perceptions of women on breast cancer screening were considered in a few studies. Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the health beliefs, fears, and fatalism of Muslim Turkish women with regard to breast cancer screening. Methods: The study was designed as cross-sectional study and conducted in the “Quran Courses” being taught under the administration of the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs in a city in Turkey. Women from the participants of 23 Quran courses in the city were included in the sample group on the basis of simple random sampling. The sample group consisted of 339 women aged above 40 years. Data collected by personal information form, the Breast Cancer Fear Scale, the Breast Cancer Fatalism Scale, and the Health Belief Model Scale. We were calculated the data with percentage, mean, standard deviation, One-way ANOVA and t test. Before the study was conducted, the necessary permissions were received from the Ethics Committee, the relevant institution, and the individuals involved. Results: A significant relationship was determined between the educational levels of women and their degree of fatalism regarding breast cancer (t = 2.229, P = 0.027) as well as a familial history of breast cancer and their BSE self-efficacy perception (t = -2.311, P = 0.027). No significant statistical difference was determined between the socio-demographic characteristics of age, employment and marital status and respondents’ health beliefs, fear, and fatalism. Conclusions: As a result of the study, regular BSE, CBE, and mammography rates were estimated at 5.3%, 9.7%, and 9.4%, respectively and no significant relationship was determined between the screening behaviors of women and their degree of fear and fatalism.