Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of the National Medical Association logoLink to Journal of the National Medical Association
. 1989 Jul;81(7):769–776.

Breast self-examination: knowledge, attitudes, and performance among black women.

T C Jacob, N E Penn, M Brown
PMCID: PMC2625923  PMID: 2754750

Abstract

This survey assessed the reported frequency of breast self-examination (BSE): the knowledge of the technique and attitudes regarding the self-exam of 180 black women. Most respondents indicated having practiced the exam during the previous year, and 50% reported practicing it monthly or more often. Less than half of the sample indicated performing the exam according to American Cancer Society guidelines, although 92% reported being either very confident or somewhat confident of their performance ability. Attitudinal and demographic variables were tested for significant relationships with BSE practice. Compared with nonperformers, BSE performers were older, had higher annual incomes, and were more likely to believe in the benefits of BSE, to perceive social approval for BSE practice, to have been taught to perform BSE, to have had a Pap smear, a clinical breast exam, and a general physical exam within one year, and to visit a physician in a private office or clinic (as opposed to a hospital emergency room). Frequency of self-examination was significantly associated with the performer's competency level, age, belief in the benefits of performing BSE, perceived social approval for practice, having been taught to perform the exam, and level of confidence in ability to perform it.

Full text

PDF
774

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Alagna S. W., Morokoff P. J., Bevett J. M., Reddy D. M. Performance of breast self-examination by women at high risk for breast cancer. Women Health. 1987;12(2):29–46. doi: 10.1300/J013v12n02_03. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bain R. P., Greenberg R. S., Whitaker J. P. Racial differences in survival of women with breast cancer. J Chronic Dis. 1986;39(8):631–642. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(86)90188-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bennett S. E., Lawrence R. S., Fleischmann K. H., Gifford C. S., Slack W. V. Profile of women practicing breast self-examination. JAMA. 1983 Jan 28;249(4):488–491. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Calnan M., Rutter D. R. Do health beliefs predict health behaviour? An analysis of breast self-examination. Soc Sci Med. 1986;22(6):673–678. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(86)90039-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Carter A. C., Feldman J. G., Tiefer L., Hausdorff J. K. Methods of motivating the practice of breast self-examination: a randomized trial. Prev Med. 1985 Sep;14(5):555–572. doi: 10.1016/0091-7435(85)90077-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Celentano D. D., Holtzman D. Breast self-examination competency: an analysis of self-reported practice and associated characteristics. Am J Public Health. 1983 Nov;73(11):1321–1323. doi: 10.2105/ajph.73.11.1321. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Dickson G., Parsons M. A., Greaves P., Jackson K. L., Kronenfeld J. J., Ward W. B., Ureda J. R. Breast self-examination: knowledge, attitudes and practice behaviors of working women. AAOHN J. 1986 May;34(5):228–232. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Edwards V. Changing breast self-examination behavior. Nurs Res. 1980 Sep-Oct;29(5):301–306. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Feldman J. G., Carter A. C., Nicastri A. D., Hosat S. T. Breast self-examination, relationship to stage of breast cancer at diagnosis. Cancer. 1981 Jun 1;47(11):2740–2745. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19810601)47:11<2740::aid-cncr2820471133>3.0.co;2-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Foster R. S., Jr, Costanza M. C. Breast self-examination practices and breast cancer survival. Cancer. 1984 Feb 15;53(4):999–1005. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19840215)53:4<999::aid-cncr2820530429>3.0.co;2-n. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Foster R. S., Jr, Lang S. P., Costanza M. C., Worden J. K., Haines C. R., Yates J. W. Breast self-examination practices and breast-cancer stage. N Engl J Med. 1978 Aug 10;299(6):265–270. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197808102990601. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Gray G. E., Henderson B. E., Pike M. C. Changing ratio of breast cancer incidence rates with age of black females compared with white females in the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1980 Mar;64(3):461–463. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Greenwald P., Nasca P. C., Lawrence C. E., Horton J., McGarrah R. P., Gabriele T., Carlton K. Estimated effect of breast self-examination and routine physician examinations on breast-cancer mortality. N Engl J Med. 1978 Aug 10;299(6):271–273. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197808102990602. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Howe H. L. Social factors associated with breast self-examination among high risk women. Am J Public Health. 1981 Mar;71(3):251–255. doi: 10.2105/ajph.71.3.251. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Huguley C. M., Jr, Brown R. L. The value of breast self-examination. Cancer. 1981 Mar 1;47(5):989–995. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19810301)47:5<989::aid-cncr2820470530>3.0.co;2-v. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Mamon J. A., Zapka J. G. Breast self-examination by young women: I. Characteristics associated with frequency. Am J Prev Med. 1986 Mar-Apr;2(2):61–69. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Massey V. Perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and practice of breast self-examination. Nurs Res. 1986 May-Jun;35(3):183–185. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Michalek A. M., Walsh D., Burns P., Mettlin C. Report on a BSE educational program for lay audiences conducted by nurse health educators. Cancer Nurs. 1981 Oct;4(5):385–388. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Norman R. M., Tudiver F. Predictors of breast self-examination among family practice patients. J Fam Pract. 1986 Feb;22(2):149–153. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Philip J., Harris W. G., Flaherty C., Joslin C. A. Clinical measures to assess the practice and efficiency of breast self-examination. Cancer. 1986 Aug 15;58(4):973–977. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19860815)58:4<973::aid-cncr2820580429>3.0.co;2-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Polednak A. P. Breast cancer in black and white women in New York State. Case distribution and incidence rates by clinical stage at diagnosis. Cancer. 1986 Aug 1;58(3):807–815. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19860801)58:3<807::aid-cncr2820580333>3.0.co;2-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Reeder S., Berkanovic E., Marcus A. C. Breast cancer detection behavior among urban women. Public Health Rep. 1980 May-Jun;95(3):276–281. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Satariano W. A., Belle S. H., Swanson G. M. The severity of breast cancer at diagnosis: a comparison of age and extent of disease in black and white women. Am J Public Health. 1986 Jul;76(7):779–782. doi: 10.2105/ajph.76.7.779. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Sheley J. F. Inadequate transfer of breast cancer self-detection technology. Am J Public Health. 1983 Nov;73(11):1318–1320. doi: 10.2105/ajph.73.11.1318. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Smith E. M., Francis A. M., Polissar L. The effect of breast self-exam practices and physician examinations on extent of disease at diagnosis. Prev Med. 1980 May;9(3):409–417. doi: 10.1016/0091-7435(80)90235-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Trotta P. Breast self-examination: factors influencing compliance. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1980 Summer;7(3):13–17. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Zapka J. G., Mamon J. A. Breast self-examination by young women: II. Characteristics associated with proficiency. Am J Prev Med. 1986 Mar-Apr;2(2):70–78. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of the National Medical Association are provided here courtesy of National Medical Association

RESOURCES