Evaluation of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) Application in First and Second Degree Relatives of Patients with Breast Cancer

Background: The aim of this study was to determine beliefs concerning breast self-examination in first- andsecond-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer and evaluate their breast self-examination (BSE) application.Materials and
Methods: A survey study was conducted in an oncology polyclinic and general surgery clinic ofa hospital in Ankara, the capital of Turkey with a sample of 140 women.
Results: It was determined that 60.7%of the participants had conducted BSE and 48.1% had undergone a clinical breast examination. Perceived selfefficacyof the women who performed BSE were significantly higher compared with women who did not practiceBSE (p<0.001) Furthermore, perceived barriers were lower among those who had performed BSE (p<0.001).Logistic regression analysis indicated that women who perceived higher self-efficacy (OR: 1.119, 95% CI: 1.056-1.185, p<0.001) and had regular CBE (OR: 8.250, 95% CI: 3.140-21.884, p<0.001) and educational status (OR:5.287, 95% CI: 1.480-18.880, p<0.01) were more likely to perform BSE.
Conclusions: Findings from this studyindicated that perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, and educational status could be predictors of BSEbehavior among the first- and second-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer. Therefore, BSE trainingprograms that emphasize self-efficacy and address perceived barriers are recommended.