Relations between Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Behaviour of Female Students at a School of Health and their Healthy Life Style

Regular breast self-examination (BSE) and pap-smear tests are the two of the positive heath behaviors forimproving, promoting and protecting the health of adolescent girls. The present quasi-experimental researchwas carried out with the purpose of analyzing the relations between breast and cervical cancer preventionbehavior of female students at a School of Health and their health lifestyle. The research was conducted atÇanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Health between November 2008 and February 2009. A total of77 female students attending the first and second grades were included in the sample. Education pertinent to thematter was provided and evaluation was made three months later. A knowledge evaluation form for breast andgynecological examination, the Healthy Life-Style Behavior Scale (HPLP), was used in data collection. Numberpercentages, the McNemar Bowker test, the t test and the Mann Whitney U test were used in the evaluation.Despite the information they had received, not all of the students performed regular breast self-examination(BSE) prior to the education. For 24.7% (n=19) the reason for not ding regular BSE was their having no symptomsand for 29.9% (n=23) it was due to thinking that they would not have breast cancer. The reason for not havingpap smear test was a virgin status. Three months after the education, knowledge level scores of the studentsincreased approximately three and a half times (from 23.8±9.8) to 81.2±8.0). The rate of having regular BSE was88.3% after three months, however; there was no pap smear test probably due to the fact that it was a taboo.When the rate of having regular BSE three months after the education and HLPL scores were compared, thescores of those having it regularly and the scores of those not having it regularly were found to be close and nostatistically significant difference was detected (p>0.05). In conclusion, consultancy service units should beestablished to comprehend the barriers perceived by adolescent girls who do not have regular health screening,to make appropriate strategic planning in order to eradicate the hindrances in Muslim societies and to enhancethe motivation of youth with continuous education.