Determinants of breast self-examination after a benign biopsy (original) (raw)

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Abstract

Although breast self-examination (BSE) continues to be recommended as an adjunct to clinical screening techniques for the early detection of breast cancer, little is known about events that might negatively influence long-term adherence. The primary aim of this investigation was to determine if regularity of BSE would decline after a benign breast biopsy. Analyses are based on 655 women: 83 women who self-discovered the breast problem by BSE, 179 women in whom the problem was discovered by the health care system, and a control group of 393 women who had no history of breast problems. Frequency of BSE was assessed over two six-month periods and collapsed into three categories--nonpractitioner, irregular practitioner, and regular practitioner. Results indicated that the percentage of women in the self-discovered group who reported decreased regularity of BSE was over three times higher than that found in the control group. The largest percentage increase in BSE frequency was evidenced...

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