The Effects of Educational Level on Breast Cancer Awareness: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey

Sibel Ozkan Gurdal,Yucel Yankol,Ebru Sen Oran,Gamze Varol Saracoglu,Gursel Remzi Soybir

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.1.295

Sibel Ozkan Gurdal, Yucel Yankol + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.1.295

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Abstract

Breast self-examination (BSE) is important for early diagnosis of breast cancer (BC). However, the majority of Turkish women do not perform regular BSE. We aimed to evaluate the effects of education level on the attitudes and behaviors of women towards BSE. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 women (20-59 years), divided into university graduates (Group I, n = 224) and high school or lower graduates (Group II, n = 189). They completed a 22-item scale assessing the knowledge level, attitudes and behaviors regarding BSE, and the Turkish version of the Champion's Revised Health Belief Model. A significantly higher number of women in Group II did not believe in early diagnosis of BC. A significantly higher number of Group I had conducted BSE at least once, and their BSE frequency was also significantly high. Moreover, a significantly lower number of Group I women considered themselves to not be at risk for BC and the scores for "perceived susceptibility" and "perceived barriers" were significantly higher. Logistic regression analysis identified the university graduate group to have a higher likelihood of performing BSE, by 1.8 times. Higher educational levels were positively associated with BSE performance. Overall, the results suggest that Turkish women, regardless of their education level, need better education on BSE. Consideration of the education level in women will help clinicians develop more effective educational programs, resulting in more regular practice and better use of BSE.

Highlights

Despite advances in oncology, extensive use of early diagnostic methods, and increased awareness, breast cancer (BC) continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality rates (Perry et al, 2008)
We aimed to evaluate the effects of education level on the attitudes and behaviors of women towards Breast self-examination (BSE)
Β: Coefficient, SE: Standard error, Wald: Wald Statistic, P: Significance, odds ratios (ORs): Odds ratio, confidence interval (CI): Confidence interval that was performed to identify the effect of education level on women performing BSE showed that being in Group I significantly increased the likelihood of performing BSE by 1.8 times (Table 5)

Summary

Introduction

Extensive use of early diagnostic methods, and increased awareness, breast cancer (BC) continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality rates (Perry et al, 2008). Breast self-examination (BSE) is one of the important components of early diagnosis (Budden, 1995; Manasciewicz, 2003) and creates BC awareness and inculcates health self-responsibility in women (Bevers, 2004; Karayurt et al, 2008). The American Cancer Society and the European Commission recommend annual mammograms and clinical breast examinations (CBEs) for healthy women over 40, and BSE once a month for all women over 20 years of age (Dodd, 1992; Leitch et al, 1997; Perry et al, 2008; Smith et al, 2010; Veronesi et al, 2005)

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