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Breast Self-Examination, Cancer Knowledge and Breast Disease in a Sample of Hunter Valley Women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Maureen Beckett ,
Selina Redman  and
Christina Lee
Maureen Beckett
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle
Selina Redman
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle
Christina Lee*
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle
*
Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308
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Abstract

Fifty women with a history of breast lumps, and fifty control women matched for age and educational level, were administered a self-report questionnaire to determine knowledge of breast cancer, frequency and proficiency of breast self-examination (BSE), and health beliefs relating to BSE. Although women with previous breast lumps were more knowledgeable about breast cancer than those without, the two groups did not differ in attitudes or preventive behaviours. Overall knowledge of cancer and of BSE practice was low. This suggests a need for educational campaigns to increase knowledge and awareness, as a first step towards behaviour change, and a need for research to identify more effective predictors of BSE practice.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , September 1990 , pp. 136 - 142
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1990

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References

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