The Effectiveness of Breast Health Promotion Counseling on Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Female Patients

Abstract

Abstract: Breast cancer is a major health concern and remains the most common malignancy in women worldwide affecting 1.6%, and in Egypt 37.5%. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the breast health promotion counseling on breast cancer screening behavior among female patients. Three hypotheses were addressed: 1) Increased rates in mammography, Clinical Breast Examination, Breast Self Examination, and Breast Self Examination Proficiency. 2) Increased levels of breast health knowledge perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, benefits of BSE and mammography. 3) Decreased levels of perceived barriers to BSE and mammography. Aquasi-experimental design was used. The sample consisted of 84 women who attended the counseling sessions. Data were collected through: 1) A structured interviewing questionnaire for data related to demographic characteristics; 2) pre- posttest sheet to examine the knowledge related to the problem of the breast cancer; 3) Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS); 4) Breast Self-Examination Proficiency Rating Instrument (BSEPRI).The counseling phase consisted of 10 sessions, given jointly with a booklet for women. Data were collected twice, at the booking visit and at the post counseling. The main results were: Improvement was observed in knowledge, changes in BSE proficiency (skills & lump detection), breast self-examination, clinical breast examination and mammography and health belief model scales in post counseling. More than half of participants between 40-45 years 34 years, 71.4% were married, 23.8%.The study concluded that the education sessions had a positive impact on knowledge and practice regarding to breast cancer. The study recommended the following that further studies may require BSE training sessions with a focus on the most essential component to achieve criterion levels of BSE skills competency.