Determinants of continued breast self-examination practice in women 40 years and over after personalized instruction

Abstract

Variables related to continued breast self-examination (BSE) practice were assessed at the conclusion of small group BSE training sessions and again 12 months later, using a sample of 1134 women 40 years and over who had attended a teaching session between February 1985 and September 1987 in Victoria, Australia. The teaching program was successful in increasing the frequency with which the participants practiced BSE, and in reducing the impact of emotional barriers to BSE practice, but it did not achieve the level of regular practice advocated. The frequency of BSE practice was increased, especially among those who reported some BSE practice before attending the training sessions. Although participants recognized the benefits of BSE, failure to practice it regularly was attributed primarily to the practical problem of forgetting and to lack of perceived self-efficacy in relation to BSE practice. The need for further work to develop techniques for reminding women to do BSE was noted and the provision of the opportunity to attend a further training session was recommended.