Investigation of the Effect of Women's Breast Cancer Worry Levels on Breast Cancer Prevention Behavior.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of worry about breast cancer (BC) amongst a sample of women and to examine the effect of this on behavior to prevent BC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 271 women aged 18 years and above who attended the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic of a tertiary hospital and met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the following tools: Patient Information Form; Breast Cancer Worry Scale (BCWS); Breast Cancer Prevention Behaviors Identification Scale (BCPBIS); and Mammography Processes of Change Scale (MPCS).

RESULTS: When evaluated according to BCWS scores (mean 8.43±3.36), the BC worry levels were found to be low. The behavior adopted for prevention was also found to be positive according to BCPBIS (mean 119±15.26) and MPCS (mean 82.38±12.81) scores. A significant correlation was found between the BCWS and both the BCPBIS and MPCS scores, and again between the BCPBIS and MPCS scores ( p <0.001 for all). There was a correlation with three scale scores in those who had knowledge about BC, and those who had regular clinical breast examination (BE) ( p <0.05 for all). The BCPBIS score was found to be higher in those aged between 41-65 years, those who had mammography, and performed p self-BE ( p = 0.002; p <0.001; p <0.001, respectively). According to the MPCS score, mammography behaviors was found to be more positive in those who had regular gynecological examinations and those who had mammography ( p = 0.08 and p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION: The participants generally had low BC worry levels and had adopted positive behavior for prevention. Being informed about BC and screening and having regular BE increased BC worry. Those with high BC worry, those who had mammography before, those who had knowledge about BC and screening, and those who regularly performed BE showed more positive behaviors toward preventing BC.