Abstract

Purpose: Breast cancer is a common cancer in women in Korea. Early detection of breast cancer is very important for the protection of a woman's health. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effect of BSE education on knowledge, self efficacy and performance in middle-aged women. Method: The participants were 33 women who agreed to participate in the study. They responded to a questionnaire that included items on knowledge, self-efficacy and performance of BSE. The experimental group was given a 90 minute-session including a lecture and practice with a BSE practice model and their own body. Their knowledge of the BSE was measured using Choi's tool and self-efficacy was measured using the scale by Champion and Scott. Results: Homogeneity for knowledge, self-efficacy and performance of BSE between the experimental and the control groups was confirmed. After 3 months of BSE education, knowledge, self-efficacy and frequency of BSE performance in the experimental group were significantly higher than for the women in the control group. Conclusion: A BSE education program would be helpful to enhance health behavior by early detection of breast cancer in middle-age women.

Keywords

• Breast self-examination;
• Self-efficacy;
• Knowledge;
• Performance;
• Breast cancer

• 유방자가검진;
• 자기효능감;
• 지식;
• 수행;
• 유방암;