Awareness of breast cancer risk factors and practice of breast self examination among high school students in Turkey
2008

Breast Cancer Awareness and Self-Examination Practices Among High School Students in Turkey

Sample size: 718 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Özgül Karayurt, Dilek Özmen, Aynur Çetinkaya

Primary Institution: Dokuz Eylul University School of Nursing, Izmir, Turkey

Hypothesis

The study aims to investigate knowledge and practice of breast self-examination and to determine knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer among high school students.

Conclusion

There is a need to increase knowledge of adolescent females about the risks of breast cancer and benefits of early detection.

Supporting Evidence

  • Only 37.9% of the students reported hearing about breast self-examination.
  • 6.7% of the students performed breast self-examination monthly.
  • 98.5% of students who did not perform breast self-examination cited not knowing how to do it as the reason.

Takeaway

Many high school girls in Turkey don't know how to check their breasts for cancer, which is important for catching problems early.

Methodology

Descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted using questionnaires to assess knowledge and practices related to breast self-examination.

Limitations

Results cannot be generalized to the larger population in Turkey as the sample included only high school students.

Participant Demographics

Participants were female high school students aged 14 to 19 years, with a mean age of 16.0 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.046

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-8-359

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